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OR, A 

POETICAL DESCRIPTION 

OF THE 

GEEAT AlTD LAST 

JUDGMENT: 

BY 

MICHAEL WIGGLESWOKTH, A.M., 

TeacTier of the Church at Maiden in Now Englana, 
1G63. 

ALSO A MEMOm OF THE AUTHOR, AUTOBIOG- 
RAPHY, AND SKETCH OF HIS FUNERAL 
SERMON BY REV. COTTON 
lilATHER. 



Acts 17: 31. Because he hatli appointed a Day in the which he 
will judge the World in Righteousness by that Man whom he hath 
ordained. 

Mat. 24 : 30. And then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man in 
Heaven, and then shall all the tribes of the Earth mourn, and they 
shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of Heaven with power 
and great glory. 



FROM THE SIXTH EDITION, 1715. 



AMERICAN NEWS COMPANY. 
1867. 



c. 









Entered according to Act of Ctongress, in tlie year of our Lord, 1867, by 

WM. HENRY BURR, 

in the Clerk's oCace of the District Court of the United States, for the Southern 
District of New York. 






C. S. Westcott & Co., Printers, 79 John street. 



MEMOIR OF THE AUTHOR. 



The following is tlie substance of an article published 
in the "New England Historical and Genealogical 
Register," for April, 1863, written by John Ward 
Dean, Esq., of Boston : 

A century ago no poetry was more popular in New 
England than Wigglesworth's Day of Doom. Francis 
Jenks, Esq., in an article in the Christian Examiner for 
Nov., 1828, speaks of it as '^ a work which was taught 
our fathers with their catechisms, and which many an 
aged person with whom we are acquainted can still re- 
peat, though they may not have met with a copy since 
they were in leading strings ; a work that was hawked 
about the country, printed on sheets like common bal- 
lads ; and, in fine, a work which fairly represents the 
prevailing theology of New England at the time it was 
written, and which Mather thought might, ' perhaps, 
find our children till the Day itself arrives.' " 

The popularity of Wigglesworth dated from the ap- 
pearance of his poem, and continued for more than a cen- 
tury. Expressing in earnest words the theology which 
they believed, and picturing in lively colors the terrors 
of the judgment day and the awful wrath of an offended 
God, it commended itself to those zealous Puritans, who 
had little taste for lofty rhyme or literary excellence. 
The imaginative youth devoured its horrors with avidity, 
and shuddered at its fierce denunciation of sin. In the 
darkness of night he saw its frightful forms arise, and 
was thus driven to seek the " ark of safety" from the 



4 MEMOIROFTHE AUTHOR. 

wrath of Jehovali. For the last century, however, the 
reputation of the Day of Doom has waned, and few at 
the present day know it except by reputation. 

The author of this book, whose wand had summoned 
up such images of terror, was neither a cynic nor a 
misanthrope, though sickness, which generally brings out 
these dispositions where they exist, had long been his 
doom. His attenuated frame and feeble health were 
joined to genial manners ; and, though subject to fits of 
despondency, he seems generally to have maintained a 
cheerful temper, so much so that some of his friends 
believed his ills to be imaginary. 

Rev. Michael Wigglesworth was born October 28, 
1631, probably in Yorkshire, England. He was brought 
to this country in 1638, being then seven years old, but 
in what ship we are not informed. His father, Edward 
Wigglesworth, was one of those resolute Puritans who, 
with their families, found an asylum where they could 
enjoy their religion without molestation in our then 
New England wilderness, the distance of which from 
their English homes can hardly be appreciated now. 
Here they suffered the severe hardships of a rigorous cli-. 
mate, and the fearful dangers from savage tribes around 
them, while uniting to build up villages which are now 
cities, and which still retain some of the characteristics 
of their Puritan founders. The determined purpose and 
strength of principle that conquered every obstacle was 
a school of severe training for the children of that 
period. It was natural that a father who had endured 
so much for conscience' sake should desire to see his 
only son a clergyman ; and, although the father's means 
were not large, the son was devoted to the ministry and 
given a thorough education. jNIichael, after nearly three 
years of preparatory studies, entered Harvard College 
in 1647. Here he had the good fortune to have for a 



MEMOIR OF THE AUTHOR. 5 

tutor the excellent Jonathan Mitchell, "the glory of 
the college," and famous as a preacher. The friendship 
here begun appears to have continued after both had 
left the college walls. Probably the eight stanzas " on 
the following work and its author," signed J. Mitchel, 
were written by that tutor and preacher, who was a 
native of Yorkshire, the county in which Wigglesworth 
is believed to have been born. 

In 1G51 Mr. Wigglesworth graduated, and was soon 
after appointed a tutor in the College. Some of his 
pupils were men of note in their day. Among them 
were. Rev. Shubael Dummer, of York, Me. ; Rev. John 
Eliot, of Newton ; and Rev. Samuel Torry, of Wey- 
mouth ; but the chief of them, it will be admitted, was 
Rev. Increase Mather, D.D., pastor of the second church 
in Boston, and for sixteen years president of Harvard 
College. That the tutor was faithful to his trust, we 
have evidence from the sketch of the funeral sermon 
appended to this work, preached by Rev. Cotton Mather, 
D.D., son of Increase, who probably derived his infor- 
mation from his father. 

While a tutor, he prepared himself for the ministry, 
and before his father's death he had preached several 
times. He was invited, probably in the autumn of 
1G54, to settle at Maiden, as the successor of Rev. 
Marmaduke Matthews, but owing to long-continued 
sickness was not ordained there till 1656. The precise 
date of his ordination is not known, but it must have 
been subsequent to August 25, 1G56, for his letter of 
dismission from the church at Cambridge bears that 
date. This letter, addressing the "Church of Christ at 
Maldou," states that " the good hand of Divine Provi- 
dence hath so disposed that our beloved and highly 
esteemed brother, Mr. Wigglesworth, hath his residence 
and is employed in the good work of y^ Lord amongst 



(3 M EM OIROFTHE AUTHOR, 

you, and hatli cause to desire of us Letters Dismissive 
to your church, in order to his joining as a member with 
you." 

The ill health which had delayed his ordination at 
Maiden returned soon after his settlement there, and 
interrupted his ministry several years. lie took a voy- 
age to Bermuda, sailing Sept. 23, 1G63, and being absent 
about seven months and a half. But the tedious and 
stormy voyage seems to have impaired his health so 
much that the change of climate afforded him little re- 
lief, and he returned much discouraged. He met with 
a very cordial welcome from his friends and parish- 
ioners. 

While he was thus withheld from his ministry, he 
employed his time in literary labors. His Day of Doom 
was published about 1662, the year before his voyage to 
Bermuda. The first edition consisting of 1,800 copies, 
was sold, with some profit to the author, within a year, 
which considering the population and wealth of New 
England at that time, shows almost as remarkable a 
popularity as that of Uncle Tora's Cabin. 

While iibsent on his voyage in search of health, Dec. 
9, 1663, Bev. Benjamin Bunker was ordained pastor of 
the church at Maiden. It seems that a distinction was 
observed at this time in New England between pastor 
and teacher. Wigglesworth calls Bunker " pastor" in 
some verses composed on his death, while on the title- 
page of this, work he calls himself " teacher." After 
Wigglesworth became sole minister, he was probably 
considered the pastor. Bunker held this office over six 
years, till his death, Feb. 3, 1669-70; In the elegy on 
the death of his colleague, Wigglesworth highly extols 
Bunker's piety and usefulness. The next colleague of 
our author was Bev. Benjamin Blackman, settled about 
1674. He supplied the desk four years and upward. 



MEMOIROFTHEAUTHOR. 7 

and left in tlie year 1679. His next colleague was Eev. 
Thomas Cheever, son of his early teacher, the celebrated 
New England schoolmaster, Ezekiel Cheever, author of 
. Latm Accidence. These three ministers were all edu- 
cated at Harvard College, Bunker having graduated in 
1658, Blackman in 1663, and Cheever in 1677. Mr. 
Cheever began to preach at Maiden Feb. 14, 1679-80, was 
ordained July 27, 1681, and was dismissed May 20, 1686. 

Wigglesworth, though long prevented by sickness 
from oflBciating, never resigned his ministerial charge, 
as appears from a letter which he addressed to Samuel 
Sprague, July 22, 1687. He was now left alone as 
minister of the church. He had, however, recovered 
his health in a measure about this time, which had suf- 
fered for nearly twenty years, and for the remainder of 
his life he continued in public usefulness. 

He died on Sunday morning, June 10, 1705, in the 
74th year of his age. The epitaph on the last page of 
this work is believed to have been written by Cotton 
Mather, as it appears in the appendix to his funeral 
sermon as by " one that had been gratified by his Meat 
out of the Eater and Day of Doomy 

Mr. Wigglesworth had at least three wives : Mary, 
daughter of Humphrey Reyner, of Rowley ; Martha, 
whose maiden name was probably JMudge ; and Sybil, 
widow of Dr. Jonathan Avery, of Dedham, and daughter 
of Nathaniel Sparhawk, of Cambridge. 

By his first -wife he had (1) Mercy^ b. Feb., 1655-6; m. 1st, 
[Samuel ?1 Brackenburv, by v.hom she had at least one son, 
WiUiam; m. 2d, [Rev. "Samuel.?] Belcher. 

By his second -wife, Martha, who d. 11th Sept., 1690, a. 28, he 
had:— (2) Abigail, b. 20ih March, 1681; m. Samuel Tappan, 
23d Dec, 1700;— (3) Mary, b. 21st Sept., 1682 ; unm. in 1708 ;— 

(4) Martha, b. 21st Dec.,' 1683 ; m. Wheeler ;— (5) Esther, 

b. 16th April, 1685 ; m. 1st, John Sewall, June 8, 1708, who d. 
1711 ; m. 2d, Abraham Tappan, Oct. 21, 1713 ;— (6) Dorothy, b. 
22d Feb., 1687-88; m. 2d June, 1709, James Upham ;— (7) Eev. 
Samuel, b. 4th Feb., 1689-90, d. 3d Sept,, 1768. 



8 • MEMOIROFTHEAUTHOR. 

By his third wife, Sv'oil, who d. 6th Aug-i 1"08, a. 53, he 
had:— (8) Prof. Edward, D.D., b. about 1692, d. Jan. 16, 
1765. 

Rev. Samuel Wigglesworth, the elder son, was settled in Ham- 
ilton Parish, in Ipswich, Mass., in 1714. He m. 1st, Mar\', dau. 
of John Brintnal, of Winnisimmet, 30th June, 1715, who d. June 
6, 1723, a. 28, having borne him four children, Mary, Michael, 
Martha, and Phebe. He ra. March 12, 1730, Martha 'Brown, and 
had nine children. 

Edward Wigglesworth, D.D., the younger son, took his degree 
of Bachelor of Arts in 1710, and applied himself to the study of 
Divinity. He preached for some time in different parishes, and 
in 1722' was installed Hollis Professor of Divinity of Harvard 
College. Not long afterward he was chosen one of the fellows of 
the corporation. He left an only son, who succeeded him as 
Hollis Professor in the same college, and an only surviving 
daughter, who married Prof. Sewall. 

The following are the various editions of the Bay of 
Doom, so far as we have been able to ascertain : 

The first edition was published in 1661 or 1662, and 
the second four years after. These facts are obtained 
from memoranda bj the author, which are printed in 
the Historical Magazine for December, 1863. An edition 
was printed in London, England, without the author's 
name, in 1673. This was, probably, the third impres- 
sion; the date of the fourth is unknown. The fifth 
edition is said to have been published in 1701. Mr. 
Dean has made diligent search and repeated inquiries, 
but can only find two or three copies of the edition of 
1673, and several fragments which must have been parts 
of some of the other editions. 

There was an edition published at Newcastle, in Eng- 
land, in 1711. The next edition was published in 1715, 
called "the 6th edition, enlarged, with Scripture and 
marginal notes" — " printed by John Allen, for Benjamin 
Eliot, at his shop in King street." From this edition, 
which was evidently the seventh, the present one is re- 
printed, being carefully compared with that of 1673. 
Another edition appeared in 1751, '' Printed and sold by 
Thomas Fleet, at the Heart and Crown, in Cornhill," 



MEMOIR OF THE AUTHOR. 9 

Boston. The next edition appeared in 1811, " Published 
by E. Little & Company, Newburyport," Mass. The last 
edition, prior to the present, was published in Boston in 
1828, by Charles Ewer. 

Besides the Day of Doom^ Mr. Wigglesworth published, 
in 1669, " Meat out of the Eater j or. Meditations con- 
cerning the necessity and usefulness of Afflictions unto 
God's Children." The "fourth edition" appeared in 
1689, and subsequent editions in 1717 and 1770. In 
1686 he preached an Election Sermon, which was printed 
by the colony. Among his unpublished writings is a 
poem entitled " God's Controversy with New England, 
written in the time of the great Drought, Anno 1662. 
By a lover of New England's prosperity." 

Mr. Wigglesworth borrowed little from other poets, 
and what he borrowed was probably from the commen- 
taries and theological treatises with which his library 
abounded, rather than from the poets. Not that his 
style is wholly prosaic, for there are passages in his 
writings that are truly poetical, both in thought and 
expression, and which show that he was capable of at- 
taining a higher position as a poet than can now be 
claimed for him. The roughness of his verses was surely 
not owing to carelessness or indolence, for neither of 
them was characteristic of the man. The true expla- 
nation may be, that he sacrificed his poetical taste to his 
theology, and that, for the sake of inculcating sound 
doctrine, he was willing to write in halting numbers. 

The author of the Bay of Doom, belonging to the 
straitest sect of Puritans, was, like many others of that 
sect, a man of generous feeling toward his fellows. 
Rev. Dr. Peabody calls him " a man of the beatitudes." 
Obedience to the supreme law gave a heavenly lustre to 
his example and a sweet fragrance to his memory. The 
clergy of his day possessed a deep religious earnestness 



10 AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 

and a fervent piety. They were Bible students and 
men of prayer. Even many who consider them erro- 
neous in doctrine, are willing to allow that they were 
strict in morals ; that, if they were wrong in faith, they 
were right in life ; that, if their creed was opaque, their 
hearts were luminous; and that, if their vision did not 
discern the additional light which the saintly Robinson 
had prophesied was yet to break forth from God's 
Word, they sincerely accepted the light they saw. 
They were patient, hopeful, humble, believing, faithful. 
They stood on a higher plane than their successors, and 
exercised a proportionally higher power over their 
hearers. Their people revered them, were constant in 
attendance on their services, and submitted gladly to 
their sway. 



AUTOBIOGEAPHY. 



I WAS bom of Godly Parents, that feared y© Lord greatlj', even 
from theu" youth, but in an ungodly Place, where ye generality 
ofy® people rather derided than imitated their piety; in a place 
where, to my knowledge, their children had Learnt wickedness 
betimes ; in a place that was consumed with fire in a great 
part of it, after God had brought them out of it. These godly 
parents of mine meeting with opposition and persecution for 
Religion, because they went from their own Parish church to 
hear y® word and Receiv y^ Lords supper &c, toolt up resolu- 
tions to pluck up their stakes and remove themselves to New 
England : and accordingly they did so, Leaving dear Relations, 
friends and acquaintance, their native Land, a new built house, 
a flourishing Trade, to expose themselves to y^ hazzard of y« 
seas, and to y^ Distressing difficulties of a howling wilderness, 
that they might enjoy Liberty of Conscience and Christ in his 
ordinances. And the Lord brought them hither and Landed 
them at Charlstown, after many difficulties and hazzards, and 
me along with tliem, being then a child not full seven years 
old. After about 7 weeks stay at Charlstown, my parents 
removed again by sea to New Haven in y^ month of October. 
In pur passage thither we were in great Danger by a storm 
which drove us upon a Beach of sand where we lay beating 
til another Tide fetcht us off; but God carried us to our port 



AUTOBIOGRAPHY. H 

in safety. "Winter approaching vre dwelt in a cellar partly 
under ground covered with earth the first winter. But I 
remember that one great rain , brake in upon us and drench t 
me so in my bed, being asleep, that I fell sick upon it ; but 
ye Lord in mercy spar'd my life and restored my health. When 
ye next summer was come I was sent to school to Mr. Ezekiel 
Cheever, who at that time taught school in his own house, and 
under him in a year or two I profited so much through y^ 
blessing of God, that I began to make Latin and to get fom^ard 
apace. But God who is infinitely wise and absolutely soverain, 
and gives no account concerning any of his proceedings, was 
pleased about this time to visit my father with Lameness 
which grew upon him more and more to his dying Day, though 
he liv'd under it 13 years. He wanting help was fain to take 
me off from school to follow other employments for y^ space 
of 3 or 4 years, until I had lost all that I had gained m the Latin 
Tongue. But when I was now in my fourteenth year, my 
Father, who I suppose was not wel satisfied in keeping me 
from Learning whereto I had been designed from my infancy, 
and not judging me fit for husbandry, sent me to school again, 
though at that time I had little or no disposition to it, but I 
was willing to submit to his authority therein and accordingl}'' 
I went to school under no small disadvantage and discourage- 
ment, seing those that were far inferior to me, by my dis- 
continuance now gotten far before me. But in a little time it 
appeared to be of God, who was pleased to facilitate my work 
and bless my studies that I soon recovered what I had lost, 
and gained a great deal more, so that in 2 j'ears and 3 quar- 
ters I was judged fit for ye Colledge and thither I was sent 
far from my parents and acquaintance among strangers*. But 
when father and mother both forsook me then y^ Lord 
took care of me. It was an act of great self denial in 
my father that notwithstanding his own lameness and great 
w^eakness of Body which required ye service and helpfulness of 
a son, and having but one son to be ye stafi:' of his age and sup- 
porter of his weakness, he would yet for my good, be content to 
deny himself of that comfort and Assistance I might have Lent 
him. It was also an evident proof of a strong Faith in him, in 
that he durst adventure to send me to ye Colledge, though his 
estate was but small and little enough to maintain himself and 
small family left at home. And God let him Live to see how 
acceptable to himself this service was in giving up his only son to 
ye Lord and bringing him up to Learning ; especially ye Lively 
actings of his faith and self denial herein. For first, notwith- 
standing his great weakness of body, yet he Lived til I was so 
far brought up as that I was called to be a fellow of ye Col- 
ledge and improved in Publick servdce there, and until 1 had 
preached several Times ; yea and more than so, he Lived to see 
and hear what God had done for my soul in turning me from 
Darkness to light and from ye power"^of Sathan unto God, Avhich 
filled his heart full of joy and thankfulness beyond what can be 
expressed. And for his outward estate, that was so far from 
being sunk by what he spent from j'ear to year upon my edu- 



12 AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 

cation, that in 6 years time it was plainly doubled, ■u-liich him- 
self took great notice of, and spake of it to myself and others, 
to ye praise of God, with Admiration and thankfulness. And 
after he had lived under great and sore affliction for ye space of 

13 years a pattern of faith, patience, humility, and heavenly 
mindedness, having done his Avork in my education and receiv'd 
an answer to his praj'ers, God took him to his Heavenly Rest, 
where he is now reaping ye fruits of his Labors. When I came 
first to ye Colledge, I had indeed enjoyed y« benefit of Religious 
and strict education, and God in his mercy and pitty kept mo 
from scandalous sins before I came thither and after I camo 
there, but alas I had a naughty vile heart and was acted by 
corrupt nature, therefore could propound no Right and noblo 
ends, but acted from self and for self. I was indeed studious 
and strove to outdoe my compeers, but it Avas for honour and 
applause and preferment and such poor Beggarly ends. Thus I 
had my Ends and God had his Ends far differing from mine, yet 
it pleased him to Bless my studies, and to make me grow in 
Knowledge both in ye tongues and inferior Arts and also in Di- 
vinity. But when I had been there about three years and a 
half; God in his Love and Pitty to my soul wrought a great 
change in me, both in heart and Life, and fi-om that time for- 
ward I learnt to study with God and for God. And whereas 
before that, I had thoughts of applying mj^self to ye study and 
Practice of Physick, I wholy laid aside those thoughts, and did 
chuse to serve Christ in ye work of ye ministry if he would 
please to fit me for it and to accept of my service in that great 
work. 

Note. — ^In the foregoing Autobiography the original spelling is re- 
tained, lu the following poems the spelling is modernized. The use of 
the acute accent (') to indicate the former pronunciation of the final edas 
a separate syllable will be obvious ; in other exceptional cases the old 
apostrophe is retained. In a few instances the termination tion is 
divided by a hyphen, to indicate its ijronunciation as two syllables 
(she-on). The mudera double commas are also usad to mark quotations. 

W. H. B. 



TO THE CHRISTIAN READER. 



Reader, I am a fool, 

And have adventured 

To play the fool this once tor Christ, 

The more his fame to spread. 

If this my foolishness 

Help thee to be more wise, • 

I have attained what I seek. 

And what I only prize. 

Thou wonderest, perhaps, 

That I in Print appear, 

Who to the Pulpit dwell so nigh, 

Yet come so seldom there. 

The God of Heaven knows 

What grief to me it is, 

To be withheld from serving Christ ; 

No sorrow like to this. 

This is the sorest pain 

That T have felt or feel ; 

Yet have I stood some shocks that might 

Make stronger men to reel. 

I find more true delight 

In serving of the Lord, 

Than all the good things upon Earth, 

Without it, can aiford. 



14 TO THE CHRISTIAN READER 

And could my strength endure 
That work I count so dear, 
Not all the Riches of Peru 
Should hire me to forbear. 
But I'm a Prisoner, 
Under a heavy Chain ; 
Almighty God's afflicting hand 
Doth me by force restrain. 

Yet some (I know) do judge 

Mine inability 

To come abroad and do Christ's work. 

To be MelanchoUy ; 

And that I'm not so weak 

As I myself conceit : 

But who in other things have found 

Me so conceited yet ? 

Or who of all my Friends 
That have my trials seen, 
Can tell the time in seven years 
When I have dumpish been ? 
Some think my voice is strong, 
Most times when I do Preach ; 
But ten days after, what I feel 
And suffer few can reach. 

My prison'd thoughts break forth, 
When open'd is the door. 
With greater force and violence, 
And strain my voice the more. 
But vainly do they tell 
That I am growing stronger, 
Who hear me speak in half an hour, 
Till I can speak no longer. 



TO THE CHRISTIAN READER. 15 

Some for because they see not 

My clieerfulness to fail, 

Nor that I am disconsolate, 

Do think I nothing ail. 

If they had borne my griefs, 

Their courage might have fail'd them, 

And all the Town (perhaps) have known 

(Once and again) what ail'd them. 

But why should I complain 

That have so good a God, 

That doth mine heart with comfort till 

Ev'n whilst I feel his Rod ? 

In God I have been strong, 

But wearied and worn out. 

And joy'd in him, when twenty woes 

Assail'd me round about. 

Nor speak I this to boast. 

But make Apology 

For mine own self, and answer those 

That fail in Charity. 

I am, alas ! as frail. 

Impatient a creature, 

As most that tread upon the ground. 

And have as bad a nature. 

Let God be magnified. 
Whose everlasting strength 
Upholds me under sufferings 
Of more than ten years' length ; 
Through whose Almighty pow'r 
Although I am surrounded 
With sorrows more than can be told, 
Yet am I not confounded. 



16 TO THE CHRISTIAN READER. 

For his dear sake have I 

This service undertaken, 

For I am bound to honor him 

Who hath not me forsaken. 

I am a Debtor too, 

Unto the sons of Men, 

Whom, wanting other means, I would 

Advantage with my Pen. 

I would, but ah ! my strength. 
When tri6d, proves so small, 
That to the ground without effect 
My wishes often fall. 
Weak heads, and hands, and states, 
Great things cannot produce ; 
And therefore I this little Piece 
Have publish'd for thine use. 

Although the thing be small, 

Yet my good will therein. 

Is nothing less than if it had 

A larger Volume been. 

Accept it then in love, 

And read it for thy good ; 

There's nothing in 't can do thee hurt, 

If rightly understood. 

The God of Heaven grant 

These Lines so well to speed, 

That thou the things of thine own peace 

Through them may'st better heed ; 

And may'st be stirred up 

To stand upon thy guard. 

That Death and Judgment may not come 

And find thee unprepar'd. 



TO THE CHRISTIAN READER. IJ 

Oh get a part in Christ, 

And make the Judge thy Friend j 

So shalt thou be assured of 

A happy, glorious end. 

Thus prays thy real Friend 

And Servant for Christ's sake, 

"WTio, had he strength, would not refuse 

More pains for thee to take. 

Michael TVigglesworth. 



ON THE FOLLOWING WORK AND ITS AUTHOR. 



A VERSE may find him wlio a sermon flies, 
Saitli Herbert well. Great truths to dress in Meter. 
Becomes a Preacher, who men's Souls doth prize, 
That Truth in Sugar roll'd maj taste the sweeter. 
No cost too great, no care too curious is 
To set forth Truth and win men's Souls to bliss. 

In costly Verse, and most laborious Rhymes, 
Are dish'd up here Truths worthy most regard : 
No Toys, nor Fables (Poets' wonted crimes) 
Here be, but things of worth, with wit prepar'd. 
Header, fall to, and if thy taste be good, 
Thou'lt praise the Cook, and say, 'Tis choicest Food. 

David's affliction bred us many a Psalm, 
From Caves, from mouth of Graves that Singer sweet 
Oft tun'd his Soul-felt notes : for not in 's calm, 
But storms, to write most Psalms God made hiin meet. 
Affliction turn'd his Pen to Poetry, 
Whose serious strains do here before thee lie. 

This man with many griefs afflicted sore. 
Shut up from speaking much in sickly Cave, 
Thence painful seizure hath to write the more. 



ON THE FOLLOWING WORK. IQ 

And send tliee Counsels from the mouth o' th' Grave. 
One foot i' th' other world long time hath been, 
Read, and thou'lt saj, Ills heart is all therein. 

Oh, happy Cave, that's to mount Xebo turn'd ! 

Oh, happy prisoner that's at liberty 

To walk through th' other World ! the Bonds are burn'd, 

(But nothing else) in Furnace fiery. 

Such fires unfetter Saints, and set more free 
Their unscorch'd Souls for Christ's sweet company. 

Cheer on, sweet Soul, although in briny tears 
Steept is thy seed ; though dying every day ; 
Thy sheaves shall joyful be when Christ appear.?. 
To change our death and pain to life for aye. 

The weepers now shall laugh ; the jovial laughter 
Of vain ones here shall turn to tears hereafter. 

Judge right, and his restraint is our Reproof. 
The Sins of Hearers Preachers' Lips do close. 
And make their Tongue to cleave unto its roof. 
Which else would check and cheer full freely those 
That need. But from this Eater comes some Meat, 
And sweetness good from this affliction great. 

In those vast Woods a Christian Poet sings 
(Where whilom Heathen wild were only found) 
Of things to come, the last and greatest things 
Which in our Ears aloud should ever sound. 
Of Judgment dread, Hell, Heaven, Eternity, 
Reader, think oft, and help thy thoughts thereby. 

J. MiTCHEL. 



A PRAYEE 

U X T 

GliRIST THE JUDGE OF THE WORLD. 

Dearest^ Dread^ most glorious King ! 
Pll of thy justest Judgments sing : 

Do tJiow my head and heart inspire, 

To Sing aright^ as I desire. 

Thee, thee alone Pll invocate. 

For I do much ahominate 

To call the Muses to mine aid : 

Which is th'' Unchristian use and trade 

Of some that Christians wotdd he thought, 

And yet they worship worse than naught. 

Oh ! ichat a deal of Blasphemy^ 

And Heathenish Impiety^ 

In Christian Poets may he found, 

Where Heathen gods icith praise are croiDn\l ! 

They make Jehovah to stand hy 

Till Juno, Venus, 3Iercury, 

With frowning Mars, and thund ''ring Jove, 

Rule Earth helow, and Heav'^n ahove. 

But I have learn''d to pray to none, 

Save unto God in Christ alone. 

Nor will I laud^ no, not in jest, 

TJiat which I know God doth detest. 

1 reckon it a damning evil. 

To give God^s Praises to the Devil. 
Thou, Christ, art he to whom I pray ; 
Tliy Glory fain I wotild display. 
Oh ! guide me hy thy sacred Sprite^ 
So to indite, and so to write. 
That I thine holy Name may praise. 
And teach the Sons of Men thy ways. 



THE 



DAY OF DOOM. 



Still was tlie nlglit, serene and bright, 

when all Men sleeping laj ; 
Calm was the season, and carnal reason 

thought so 'twould last for aye. 
" Soul, take thine ease, let sorrow cease j 

much good thou hast in store :" 
This was their Song, their Cups among, 

the evening before. 

ir. 

Wallowing in all kind of Sin, 

vile Wretches lay secure ; 
The best of men had scarcely then 

their Lamps kept in good ure. 
Virgins unwise, who through disguise 

amongst the best were number'd, 
Had clos'd their eyes ; yea, and the Wise 

through sloth and frailty slumber'd. 



The security 
of the World 
before Christ's 
coming to judg- 
ment. 
Luke 12 : 19. 



Mat. 25 : 5. 



22 



THE DAY OF DOOM. 



III. 

Like as of old, wlien men grew bold, 
God's tlireat'nings to contemn. 

Who stopt their Ear, and would not hear 
Mat. 24: 37, 38. when Mercy warned them, 

But took their course, without remorse, 
till God began to pour 

Destructi-on the World upon, 
in a tempestuous show'r; 



IV. 

1 Thes. 5 : 3. Who put away the evil day, 

and drown'd their cares and fears, 
Till drown'd were they, and swept away 

by vengeance unawares ; 
So at the last, whilst men sleep fast 

- in their security, 
Surpris'd they are in such a snare 
As Cometh suddenly. 

V. 

The sudden- For at midnight breaks forth a light, 

ness, Majesty, ^hich turns the night to day, 

and TeiTor of 

Christ's appear- And speedily an hideous cry 



mg. 

Mat. 25 : 
2 Pet. 3 



6. 
10. 



doth all the World dismay. 
Sinners awake, their hearts do ache, 

trembling their loins surpriseth ; 
Amaz'd with fear, by what they hear, 

each one of them ariseth. 



VI. 



They rush from beds with giddy heads, 

and to their windows run. 
Viewing this light, which shines more bright 

than doth the noon-day Sun. 



THEDAYOFDOM. 23 

Straightway appears (they see't with tears) 

the Son of God most dread, 

Who with his Train comes on amain Mat. 24 : 

29 30 

to judge both Quick and Dead. ' * 

VII. 

Before his face the Heav'ns give place, 

and Skies are rent asunder. 
With mighty voice and hideous noise, 

more terrible than Thunder. 
His Brightness damps Heav'n's glorious Lamps 

and makes them hide their heads ; 
As if afraid and quite dismay'd, 2 Pet. 8 : 10. 

they quit their wonted steads. 

VIII. 

Ye sons of men that durst contemn 

the Threat'nings of God's Word, 
How cheer you now ? Your hearts, I trow, 

are thrill'd as with a sword. 
Now Atheist blind, whose brutish mind 

a God could never see, 
Dost thou perceive, dost now believe 

that Christ thy Judge shall be ? 

IX. 

Stout Courages, (whose hardiness 

could Death and Hell outface,) 
Are you as bold, now you behold 

your Judge draw near apace ? 
They cry, "No, no, Alas! and woe I ~ 

our courage all is gone : 
Our hardiness (fool hardiness) 

hath us undone, undone !" 



24 THEDAYOFDOOM. 

X. 

Rev. 6 : 15. No heart so bold, but now grows cold, 

and almost dead with fear ; 
No eye so dry but now can cry, 

and pour out many a tear. 
Earth's Potentates and pow'rful States, 

Captains and Men of Might, 
Are quite abasht, their courage dasbt, 

at this most dreadful sight. 

XI. 

Mat. 24 : 30. Mean men lament, great men do rent 

their Robes, and tear their hair j 
They do not spare their flesh to tear 

through horrible despair. 
All kindreds wail ; all hearts do fail j 

Horror the World doth fill 
With weeping eyes and loud out-cries, 

yet knows not howJ;o kill. 

XII. 

Rev. 6 : 15, 16. Some hide themselves in Caves and Delves, 

in places under ground : 
Some rashly leap into the Deep, 

to 'scape by being drown'd : 
Some to the Rocks (0 senseless blocks !) 

and woody INIountains run. 
That there they might this fearful sight, 

and dreaded Presence shun. 

XIII. 

In vain do they to IMountains say, 

" Fall on us and us hide 
From Judge's ire, more hot than Fire, 

for who may it abide ?" 



THEDAYOFDOOM. 25 



No hiding place can from his Face 

sinners at all conceal, 
Whose flaming Eye hid things doth spy, 

and darkest things reveal. 



XIV. 



The Judge draws nigh, exalted high Mat. 25 : 21. 

upon a lofty Throne, 
Amidst the throng of Angels strong, 

lo, Israel's Holy One ! 
The excellence of whose Presence 

and awful Majesty, 
Amazeth Nature, and every Creature 

doth more than terrify. 



XV. 



The Mountains smoke, the Hills are shook, Rev. 6 : 14. 

the Earth is rent and torn, 
As if she should be clear dissolv'd 

or from her center borne. 
The Sea doth roar, forsakes the shore, 

and shrinks away for fear ; 
The wild beasts flee into the sea, 

so soon as he draws near, 

XVI. 

Whose Glory bright, whose wond'rous Might, 

whose Power Imperial, 
So far surpass whatever was 

in Realms Terrestrial, 
That tongues of men (nor Angel's pen) 

Cannot the same express ; 
And therefore I must pass it by, 

lest speaking should transgress. Thes, 4 : 16. 

2 



26 



THE DAY OF DOOM, 



XVII. 
Resurrection Before his Throne a Trump is blown, 
John^5'^^28 '29 proclaiming th' Day of Doom ; 

Forthwith he cries, " Ye Dead arise 

and unto Judgment come?'' 
No sooner said, but 'tis obey'd ; 

Sepulchers open'd are ; 
Dead bodies all rise at his call, 
and's mighty Power declare. 

XVIII. 

Both Sea and Land at his command, 

their Dead at once surrender j 
The Fire and Air constrained are 

also their dead to tender. 
The mighty Word of this great Lord 

links Body and Soul together, 
Both of the Just and the unjust, 

to part no more for ever. 



The living 
changed. 
Luke 20 
1 Cor. 15 



36. 
; 52. 



XIX. 

The same translates from Mortal states 

to Immortality, 
All that survive and be alive, 

in th' twinkling of an eye ; 
That so they may abide for aye, 

to endless weal or woe : 
Both the Renate and Pteprobate 

are made to die no moe. 



XX. 



All brought 
to Judgment, 
Mat. 24 : 31. 



His winged Hosts fly through all coasts, 

together gathering 
Both good and bad, both Quick and Dead, 

and all to Judgment bring. 



THEDAYOFDOOM. 27 



Out of their holes those creeping Moles, 
that hid themselves for fear, 

By force they take, and quickly make 
before the Judge appear. 



XXI. 

Thus every one before the Throne 2 Cor. 5 : 10. 

of Christ the Judge is brought, ^^J SJ||P 

Both righteous and impious, from the Goats, 

that good or ill hath wrought. ^^^' ^^ ' ^'^• 

A separation and diff' ring station 

by Christ appointed is 
(To sinners sad) ^twixt good and bad, 

'twixt Heirs of woe and bliss. 

xxii. 

At Christ's right hand the Sheep do stand, 

his holy Martyrs, who 
For his dear Name suffering shame, 

calamity and woe. 
Like Champions stood and with their Blood who are 

their Testimony sealed ; Christ s 

Whose innocence without offence Mat. 5 : 10, 11. 

-to Christ their Judge appealed. 

XXIIL 

Next unto whom there find a room 

all Christ's aflElicted ones, 
Who being chastis'd, neither despis'd 

nor sank amidst their groans ; 
Who by the Eod were turn'd to God, Heb. 12 : 5, 

and loved him the more, ^' ^• 

Not murmuring nor quarrelling 

when they were chast'ned sore. 



28 THEDAY'OFDOOM 

XXIV. 

Moreover, sucli as loved mucli, 

that had not such a trial. 
As might constrain to so great pain, 
Luke 7 : 41, 47. and such deep self-denial. 

Yet ready were the Cross to bear, 

when Christ them calPd thereto, 
And did rejoice to hear his voice, — 

they're counted Sheep also. 

XXV. 

Christ's jQock of Lambs there also stands, 
John 21 : 15. whose Faith was weak, yet true, 

John 3^: 3^^' ^^^ sound Believers (Gospel receivers) 
whose Grace was smallj but grew ; 
And them among an Infant throng 
of Babes, for whom Christ died ; 
Whom for his own, by ways unknow^n 
to Men, he sanctified. 

XXVI. 

All stand before their Savi-or, 
in long white Robes yclad, 
Rev. 6 : 11. Their countenance full of pleasance, 
Phil. 3 : 21, appearing wond'rous glad. 

glorious sight ! Behold how bright 

dust-heaps are made to shine. 
Conformed so their Lord unto, 
whose Glory is Divine. 

XXVII. 

The Goats ^* Christ's left hand the Goats do stand, 
described, or all whining Hypocrites 

sorts of Repro- Who for self-ends did seem Christ's friends, 
bates on the but foster'd guileful sprites ■ 



THE DAY OF DOOM. 



29 



Who Sheep resembled, but they dissembled, 
(their hearts were not sincere,) 

Who once did throng Christ's Lambs among, 
but now must not come near. 



left hand. 
Mat. 2i : 51. 



XXVIII. 

Apostates base and run-aways, 

such as have Christ forsaken. 
Of whom the Devil, with seven more evil, 

hath fresh possession taken ; 
Sinners ingrain, reserv'd to pain, 

and torments most severe, 
Because 'gainst light they sinn'd with spite, 

are also placed there. 



Luke 11 : 24, 

26. 

Heb. 6 : 4, 5, 6. 

Heb. 10 : 29. 



XXIX. 

There also stand a num'rous band, 

that no profession made 
Of Godliness, nor to redress 

their ways at all essay' d ; 
Who better knew, but (sinful Crew) 

Gospel and Law despised. 
Who all Christ's knocks withstood like blocks, 

and would not be advised. 



Luke 12 : 4r. 
Prov. 1 : 24, 26. 
Job 3 : 19. 



XXX. 

Moreover, there with them appear 

a number, numberless, 
Of great and small, vile wretches all, 

that did God's Law transgress \ 
Idolatei's, false worshippers, 

Profaners of God's Name, 
Who not at all thereon did callj 

or took in vain the same. 



Gal. 3 : 10. 
1 Cor. 6 : 9. 
Eev. 21 : 8. 



30 T n E D A Y F D T,I . 

XXXI. 

Exod. 20 : 7, 8. Blasphemers lewd, and Swearers shrewd, 
scoffers at Purity, 
That hated God, contemn'd his Rod, 
and lov'd Security ; 
2 Thes. 1 : 6, Sabbath-polluters, Saints-persecutors, 
' ' presumptuous men and proud, 

"Who never lov'd those that reprov'd ; 
all stand amongst this crowd. * 

XXXII. 

Adulterers and "Whoremongers 
Ileb. 13 : 4. were there, with all unchast ; 

1 Cor. 6 : 10. There Cove^us and Ravenous, 
that riches got too fast : 
"Who us'd vile ways themselves to raise 

t' Estates and worldly wealth, 
Oppression by or knavery, 
by force, or fraud, or stealth. 

XXXIII. 

Moreover, there together were 

children flagiti-ous. 
And Parents who did them, undo 
Zach. 5 : 3, 4. by nurture vici-ous. 
Gal^o : 1. , False- witness-bearers and self-forswearers, 
Murd'rers and Men of Blood, 
Witches, Enchanters, and Ale-house haunters, 
beyond account there stood. 

XXXIV. 

Their place there find all Heathen blind 
that Nature's light abus'd, 
Eom. 2 : 13. Although they had no tidings glad 
of Gospel grace refus'd 



THE DAY OF DOOM. 31 

There stand all Nations and Generations 
of Adam's Progeny, [not, 

Whom Christ redeem'd not, whom he esteem'd 
through Infidelity ; 

XXXV. 

Who no Peace-maker, no undertaker, 

to shroud them from God's ire. 
Ever obtain'd ; they must be pain'd Acts 4 : 12. 

with everlasting fire. 
These num'rous bands, wringing their hands, 

and weeping all stand there. 
Filled with anguish, whose hearts do languish, 

through self-tormenting fear, 

XXXVI. 

Fast by them stand at Christ's left hand, 

the Lion fierce and fell. 
The Dragon bold, that Serpent old, 

that hurried Souls to Hell. 1 Cor. 6 : 3. 

There also stand, under command, 

legions of Sprites unclean. 
And hellish Fiends, that are no friends 

to God, nor unto Men. 

XXXVII. 

With dismal chains, and strongest reins, 

like Prisoners of Hell, Jude 6. 

They're held in place before Christ's face, 

till He their Doom shall tell. 
These void of tears, but fill'd with fears, 

and dreadful expectation 
Of endless pains and scalding flames, 

stand waiting for Damnation. 



32 



THE DAY OF DOOM, 



The Saints 
cleared and 
justified. 



2 Cor. 5 : 10. 
Eccl. 3 : 17. 
John 3 : 18. 



XXXVIII, 

All silence keep both Goats and Slieep 

before the Judge's Throne ; 
With mild aspect to his Elect 

then speaks the Holy One : 
" Mj Sheep draw near, your Sentence hear, 

which is to you no dread, 
Who clearly now discern and know 

your sins are pardoned. 

XXXIX. 

" 'Twas meet that ye should judged be, 

that so the World may spy 
No cause of grudge, when as I judge 

and deal impartially. 
Know therefore all both great and small, 

the ground and reason why 
These Men do stand at my right hand 

and look so cheerfully. 



Job 17 : 6. 

Eph. 1 : 4, 



. XL. 

" These Men be those my Father chose 

before the World's foundation, 
And to me gave, that I should save 

from Death and Condemnation ; 
For whose dear sake I flesh did take, 

was of a Woman born. 
And did inure myself t' endure 

unjust reproach and scorn. 

XLI. 

" For then it was that I did pass 
through sorrows many a one ; 

.That I drank up that bitter Cup 
which made me sigh and groan. 



THEDAYOFDOOM. 33 

The Cross's pain I did sustain ; Rev. 1 : 5. 

yea more, my Father's ire 
I underwent, my Blood I spent 

to save them from Hell-lire. 

XLII. 

" Thus I esteemed, thus I redeemed 

all these from every Nation, 
That they may be (as now you see) Eph. 2 : 1, 3. 

a chosen Generation. 
What if ere while they were as vile 

and bad as any be. 
And yet from all their guilt and thrall 

at once I set them free ? 

XLiir. 

" My grace to one is wrong to none ; 

none can Election claim j 
Amongst all those their souls that lose, Mat. 23 : 13, 

none can Rejection blame. t?^* d . on 

He that may choose, or else refuse, 

all men to save or spill, 
May this Man choose, and that refuse, 

redeeming whom he will. 

XLIV. 

" But as for those whom I have chose 

Salvation's heirs to be, Isa. 53 . 4 

I underwent their punishment, ^j H* 

and therefore set them free. 
I bore their grief, and their relief 

by suffering procur'd. 
That they of bliss and happiness 

might firmly be assur'd. 



34 THE DAY OF DOOM. 

XLV. 

" And this my grace they did embrace, 
Acts 1 : 3, 48. believing on my Name ; ' 
Heb' 12 : 7 Which Faith was true, the fruits do shew 
Mat. 19 : 29. proceeding from the same ; — 

Their Penitence, their Pati-ence, 

their Love and Self-denial, 
In sufF'ring losses and bearing Crosses, 
when put upon the trial ; — 

XL VI. 

" Their sin forsaking, their cheerful taking 

my Yoke, their Charity 
Unto the Saints in all their wants, 
and in them unto me ; — 
1 John 3 : 3. These things do clear, and make appear 
Mat. 25 : 39, 40. their Faith to be unfeigned, 
And that a part in my desert 
and purchase they have gained. 

XLVII. 

" Their debts are paid, their peace is made, 
their sins remitted are ; 
Isa. 53 : 11, 12. Therefore at once I do pronounce, 

IT^^b 34 ' ^^^ openly declare, 

John 3 : 18. That Heav'n is theirs, that they be Heirs 

of Life and of Salvation ; 
Nor ever shall they come at all 

to Death or to Damnation. 

XLVIII. 

" Come blessed Ones and sit on Thronefs, 

judging the World with me ; 
Come and possess your happiness, 
Luke 22 : 29, 30. and bought felicity j 



THE DAY OF DOOM. 



35 



Henceforth no fears, no care, no tears, 

no sin shall you annoy, 
Nor any thing that grief doth bring : 

Eternal Rest enjoy. 



Mat. 19 : 28. 



XLIX. 

" You bore the Cross, you suffer'd loss 

of all for my Name's sake ; 
Receive the Crown that's now your own ; 

come, and a Kingdom take." 
Thus spake the Judge : the wicked grudge 

and grind their teeth in vain ; 
They see with groans these plac'd on Thrones, 

which addeth to their pain : 



Mat. 25 : 34.' 
They are 

ilaced on 

hrones to join 
with Christ in 
judging the 
wicked. 



T 



That those whom they did wrong and slay, 

must now their Judgment see ! 
Such whom they slighted and once despited, 

must now their Judges be ! 
Thus 'tis decreed, such is their meed, 

and guerdon glorious ; 
With Christ they sit, judging it fit 

to plague the Impious. 



Cor. 6 : 2. 



LI. 

The wicked are brought to the Bar. 

like guilty Malefactors, 
That oftentimes of bloody Crimes 

and Treasons have been Actors. 
Of wicked Men, none are so mean 

as there to be neglected ; 
Nor none so high in dignity 

as there to be respected. 



The wicked 
brought to 
the Bar. 
Rom. 2 : 3, 6, 
11. 



36 THEDAY.OF DOOM. 

LII. 

The glorious Judge will privilege 

nor Emperor nor King ; 
But every one that hath misdone 
Rev. 6 : 15, 16. doth unto judgment bring. 

And every one that hath misdone, 

the Judge impartially 
Condemneth to eternal woe, 

and endless misery. 

LIII. 

Thus one and all, thus great and small, 

the Rich as well as Poor, 
And those of place, as the most base, 

do stand the Judge before. 
They are arraign' d, and there detain'd 

before Christ's Judgment seat, 
With trembling fear their Doom to hear, 

and feel his Anger's heat. 

LIV. 

There Christ demands at all their hands 

a strict and straight account 
Of all things done under the Sun, 
Eccl. 11 : 9, whose number far surmount 

12, 14. Man's wit and thought : they all are brought 

unto this solemn Trial, 
And each offense with evidence, 
so that there's no denial. 

LV. 

There's no excuse for their abuse, 

since their own Consciences 
More proof give in of each Man's sin, 

than thousand Witnesses. 



THE DAY OF DOOM 



37 



Thougli formerly this faculty 

had grossly been abused, 
(Men could it stifle, or with it trifle, 

when as it them accused,) 

LVI. 

Now it comes in, and every sin 

unto Men's charge doth lay ; 
It judgeth them and doth condemn, 

though all the "World say nay. 
It so stingeth and tortureth, 

it worketh such distress, 
That each Man^s self against himself, 

is forced to confess. 



LVII. 

It's vain, moreover, for Men to cover 

the least Iniquity ; 
The Judge hath seen, and privy been 

to all their villainy. 
He unto light and open sight 

the work of darkness brings ; 
He doth unfold both new old, 

both known and hidden things. 



Secret sins and 
works of dark- 
ness brought to 
light. 

Ps. 139 : 2, 4, 
12. 
Rom, 2 : 16. 



LVIII. 

All filthy facts and secret acts, 

however closely done. 
And long conceal'd, are there reveal'd 

before the mid-day Sun. 
Deeds of the night, shunning the light, 

which darkest corners sought. 
To fearful blame, and endless shame, 

are' there most justly brought. 



Eccl. 12 : 14. 



38 THEDAYOFDOOM. 

LIX. 

And as all facts, and grosser acts, 
so every word and thought, 
M t 12-36 Erroneous notion and lustful motion, 
Rom. 7 : 7. are unto Judgment brought. 

No Sin so small and trivial, 
but hither it must come ; 
Nor so long past but now at last 
it must receive a doom. 

LX. 

An account At this sad season, Christ asks a Reason 

demanded of all r^^^^ -^g^ austerity) 

their actions. \ j j j 

John 5 : 40, and Of Grace refus'd, of light abus'd 

Mat?25 : 19, 27. '^ ^^*' '^ ^ilf^llj 5 

Of Talents lent, by them misspent 

and on their Lust bestown, 

Which if improv'd as it behoov'd 

Heav'n might have been their own ; 

LXI. 

Of times neglected, of means rejected, 

of God's long-sufiering 
And Pati-ence, to Penitence 
Rom. 2 : 4, 5. that sought hard hearts to bring ; 

Why chords of love did nothing move, 

to shame or to remorse ? 
Why warnings grave, and counsels, have 

naught chang'd their sinful course ? 

LXII. 

Why chastenings, and evils things, 
Isa. 1: 5. why judgments so severe. 

Prevailed not with them a jot, 
nor wrought an awful fear ? 



THEDAYOFDOOM. 39 

Why promises of Holiness j 

and new Obedience, Jer. 2 : 20. 

They oft did make, but always brake 

the same, to God's offense ? 

LXIII. 

Why still Hell-ward, without regard, 

they bold ventured, John 3 : 19, etc. 

And chose Damnation before Salvation, Luk^l2-2() 21 

when it was offered? 
Why sinful pleasures and earthly treasures, 

like fools, they prized more 
Than Heav'nly wealth. Eternal health, 

and all Christ's Royal store ? 

LXIV. 

Why, when he stood off'ring his Blood 

to wash them from their sin, Luke 13 : 34. 

They would embrace no saving Grace, 15^°92 ' ^^' ^^^ 

but liv'd and died therein ? 
Such aggravations, where no evasions, 

nor false pretences hold. 
Exaggerate and cumulate 

guilt more than can be told. 

\ 

LXV. 

They multiply and magnify 

Men's gross Iniquities ; 
They draw down wrath (as Scripture saith) 

out of God's treasuries. 
Thus all their ways Christ open lays 

to Men and Angels' view, 
And as they were makes them appear 

in their own proper hue. 



40 THE DAY OF DOOM. 

LXVI. 

Thus lie dotli find of all Mankind, 
Rom. 3 : 10, 12. that stand at his left hand, 

No mother's son but hath misdone, 

and broken God's command. 
All have transgress'd, even the best, 

and merited God's wrath, 
Unto their own perditi-on 

and everlasting scath. 

LXVII. 

Earth's dwellers all, both great and small, 
Kom. 6 : 23. have wrought iniquity, 

And suffer must (for it is just) 

Eternal misery. 
Amongst the many there come not any, 

before the Judge's face. 
That able are themselves to clear, 

of all this cursed Race. 

LXVIII. 

' Nevertheless, they all express. 
Hypocrites (Christ granting liberty,) 

Reives ^^"^ ^^^^' ^^^* ^^^ *^^^^ ^^^ *^®^ ^^^^ *^ ^^^' 
how they have liv'd, and why. 

They all draw near and seek to clear 
themselves by making pleas ; 

There Hjrpocrites, false-hearted wights, 
do make such pleas as these : 

LXIX. 

" Lord, in thy Name, and by the same, 
Mat. 7 : 21, 22, we Devils dispossess'd ; 
^^' We rais'd the dead and minist'red 

Succor to the distressed. 



THEDAYOFDOOM. 4]^ 

Our painful teaching and pow'rful preaching 

by thine own wondrous might, 
Did throughly win to God from sin 

many a wretched wight." 

LXX. 

" All this," quoth he, " may granted be, 

and your case little better' d, The Judge 

Who still remain under a chain JoS^g'^'to 

and many irons fetter' d. 1 Cor. 9 : 27. 

You that the dead have quickened, 

and rescu'd from the grave. 
Yourselves were dead, yet ne'er needed 

a Christ your souls to save. 

LXXI. » 

" You that could preach, and others teach 

what way to life doth lead, Rom. 2 : 19, 21, 

Why were you slack to find that track ' * 

and in that way to tread ? 
How could you bear to see or hear 

of others freed at last 
From Satan's paws, whilst in his jaws 
^ yourselves were held more fast 7 

LXXII. 

" Who though you knerw Repentance true, 

and Faith is my great Name, John 9 : 41. 

The only mean to quit you clean, ^^'^' ^ ' ^^' ^^* 

from punishment and blame, 
Yet took no pain true Faith to gain, 

such as might not deceive, 
Nor would repent with true intent, 

your evil deeds to leave. 



42 TIIEDAYOFDOOM. 

LXXIII. 

" His Master's will how to fulfil 
Luke 12 : 47. the servant that well knew, 
22 24 ' ^^ ^^^^ undone his duty known, 

more plagues to him are due. 
You against light perverted right ; 

wherefore it shall be now 
For Sidon and for Sodom's Land 
more easy than for you." 

LXXIV. 

" But we have in thy presence been," 
Another plea of say some, " and eaten there. 

LS5i3T20.^'' ^'^^ ^^ ^o* ®^* *^y ^l^s^ f«^ ™e^*' 
and feed on Heav'nly Cheer? 

"Whereon who feed shall never need, 

as thou thyself dost say, 
Nor shall they die eternally, 

but live with Christ for aye. 

LXXV. 

"We may allege, thou gav'st a pledge 

of thy dear Love to us. 
In Wine and Bread, which figured 

thy Grace bestowed thus. 
Of strength'ning Seals, of sweetest Meals, 

have we so oft partaken ; 
And shall we be cast oif by thee, 

and utterly forsaken ?" 

LXXVI. 



The answer. To whom the Lord, thus in a word, 
returns a short reply : 
' never knew any of yov 
that wrought Iniquity. 



Luke 13 : 27. returns a short reply : 

Mat. 22:12. y 

" I never knew any oi you 



THEDAYOFDOOM. - 43 

You say you've been my Presence in ; 

but then, bow came you there 
With Raiment vile that did defile ' 

and quite disgrace my Cheer ? 

LXXVII. 

" Durst you draw near without due fear 

Untomy holy Table? 
Durst you profane and render vain, 

so far as you were able, 
Those Mysteries, which who-;o prize, 

and carefully improve. 
Shall saved be undoubtedly, 

and nothing shall them move ? 

LXXVIII. 

" How durst you venture bold guests to enter 

in such a sordid hue, 
Amongst my guests unto those Feasts 

that were not made for you ? 1 Qq^. 11 : 27 

How durst you eat for spir'tual meat 29. 

your bane, and drink damnation, 
"Whilst by your guile you render'd vile 

so rare and great Salvation ? 

LXXIX. 

" Your fancies fed on heav'nly Bread, 

your hearts fed on some Lust ; 
You lov'd the Creature more than th' Creator, 

your souls clove to the dust. 

And think you by Hypocrisy, 

^ Mat 6-21 24 

and cloaked Wickedness, Koni. 1 : 25. " 

To enter in laden with sin, 

to lasting Happiness ? 



44 



THE DAY OF DOOM. 



1 Cor. 11 : 27, 
29. 



Another sort 
of Hypocrites 
make their 
pleas. 



LXXX. 

" Tliis your excuse shews your abuse 

of things ordain'd for good. 
And doth declare you guilty are 

of my dear Flesh and Blood. 
Wherefore those Seals and precious Meals 

you put so much upon 
As things Divine, they Seal and Sign 

you to Perditi-on." 

LXXXI. 

Then forth issue another Crew 

(those being silenced), 
Who drawing nigh to the Most High, 

adventure thus to plead : 
" We sinners were," say they, " 'tis clear, 

deserving condemnation ; 
But did not we rely on thee, 

O Christ, for whole Salvation ? 



Acts 8 : 
Isa. 68 
Heb. 6 : 



13. 
2,3. 

4,5. 



LXXXII. 

" We did believe, and oft receive 

thy gracious Promises ; 
We took great care to get a share 

in endless Happiness. 
We pray'd and wept, and Fast-days kept, 

lewd ways we did eschew ; 
We joyful were thy Word to hear ; 

we form'd our lives anew. 



LXXXIII. 



" We thought our sin had pardon'd been, 
2 Pet. 2 : 20. that our Estate was good, 

Our debts all paid, our peace well made, 
our Souls wash'd with thy Blood. 



THEDAYOFDOOM. 45 



Lord, why dost though reject us now, 

who have not thee rejected, 
Nor utterly true sanctity 

and holy life neglected ?" 

LXXXIV. 

The Judge incens'd at their pretens'd 

self-vaunting Piety, The Judge 

With such a look as trembling strook j^j^^ 2 : 24 25! 

unto them made reply : 
" impudent, impenitent, 

and guileful generation ! 
Think you that I cannot descry 

your hearts' abomination ? 

LXXXV. 

" You nor receiv'd, nor yet believ'd 

my Promises of Grace, John 6 : 64. 

Nor were you wise enough to prize ?j^, • fx!oc' 

my reconciled Face ; 
But did presume that to assume 

which was not yours to take, 
And challenged the Children's Bread, 

yet would not sin forsake. 

LXXXVI. 

" Being too bold you laid fast hold 

where int'rest you had none, Rev. 3 : 17. 

Yourselves deceiving by your believing, 

all which you might have known. 
You ran away but ran astray 

with Gospel Promises, 
And perished, being still dead 

in sins and trespasses. 



Mat. 13 : 20. 



4G THEDAYOFDOOM. 

LXXXVII. 

" How oft did I Hypocrisy 
and Hearts' deceits unmask 
Mat. 6 : 2, Before your sight, giving you light 
Jer. 8-56 *^ know a Christian's task ? 

7, 8. But you held fast unto the last 

your own conceits so vain, 
No warning could prevail ; you would 
your own Deceits retain. 

LXXXVIII. 

" As for your care to get a share 

in Bliss ; the fear of Hell, 
And of a part in endless smart, 
Psal. 78 : 34, did thereunto compel. 

' ' * Your holiness and ways redress, 
such as it was, did spring 
From no true love to things above. 
But from some other thing. 

LXXXIX. 

Zach. 7 : 5, 6. « You pray'd and wept, you Fast-days kept, 

1 Sam. 15': ^^* ^^^ J^^ ^^^^ ^^ ™® ^ 

13, 21. No, but for sin you sought to win 

' ■ the greater liberty.' 

For all your vaunts, you had vile haunts, 

for which your Consciences 
Did you alarm, whose voice to charm 

you us'd these practices. 

xc. 

" Your Penitence, your diligence 
Mat, 6 : 2. 5. to Read, to Pray, to Hear, 

5 : 4i. Y^QYO but to drown the clam'rous sound 
of Conscience in your Ear. 



\ 



THEDAYOFDOOM. 47 

If light you lov'd, vain glory mov'd 

yourselves therewith to store, 
That seeming wise men might you prize, 

and honor you the more. 

xci. 

" Thus from yourselves unto yourselves, 

your duties all do tend ; Zech. 7 : 5, 16. 

And as self-love the wheels doth move, ^^" * 

so in self-love they end." 
Thus Christ detects their vain projects, 

and close Impiety, 
And plainly shews that all their shows 

were but Hypocrisy. 

xcii. • 

Then were brought nigh a Company 

of Civil honest Men, Civil honest 

That lov'd true dealing and hated stealing, Luke^l8^-^li 

ne'er wrong'd their Bretheren ; 
Who pleaded thus : " Thou knowest us 

that we were blameless livers ; 
No Whoremongers, no Murderers, 

no quarrelers nor strivers. 

XCIII. 

" Idolaters, Adulterers, 

Church-robbers we were none, 
Nor false dealers, nor cozeners, 

but paid each man his own. 
Our way was fair, our dealing square, 

we were no wasteful spenders, 
No lewd toss-pots, no drunken sots, 

no scandalous oflfenders. 



48 



THE DAY OF DOOM. 



1 Sam. 15 : 22. 



XCIV. 

" We hated vice and set great price, 

by virtuous conversation ; 
And by tlie same we got a name 

and no small commendation. 
God's Laws express that righteousness 

is that which he doth prize j 
And to obey, as he doth say, 

is more than sacrifice. 



xcv. 

" Thus to obey hath been our way j 
Eccl. 7 : 20. let our good deeds, we pray. 

Find some regard and some reward 

with thee, Lord, this day. 
And whereas we transgressors be, 

of Adam's race were none, 
No, not the best, but have confess'd 

themselves to have misdone." 



Are taken off 
and rendered 
invalid. 
Deut. 10 : 12. 
Tit. 2 : 12. 
Jam. 2 : 10. 



xcvi. 

Then answered unto their dread, 

the Judge : " True Piety 
God doth desire and eke require, 

no less than honesty. 
Justice demands at all your hands 

perfect Obedience ; 
If but in part you have come short, 

that is a just offense. 

XCVII. 

" On Earth below, where men did owe 
a thousand pounds and more. 

Could twenty pence it recompense ? 
Could that have clear'd the score ? 



THEDAYOFDOOM. 49 



U. 



Think you to buy Felicity 

with part of what's due debt ? 
Or for desert of one small part, 

the whole should off be set ? 

XCVIII. 

" And yet that part whose great desert 

you think to reach so far, Luke 18 : 11^^ 

For your excuse doth you accuse, 

and -will your boasting mar. 
However fair, however square 

3''oiir way and work hath been 
Before men's eyes, jet God espies 

iniquity therein. 

xcix. 

" God looks upon th' afFecti-on 

and temper of the heart ; 
Not only on the acti-on, 1 Sam. 16 : 7. 

and the external part. 
Whatever end vain men pretend, 

God knows the veritj^. 
And by the end which they intend 

their words and deeds doth try. 



" Without true Faith, the Scripture saith, 
God cannot take delight 

In any deed that doth proceed Heb . 11 : 6. 

n • r- I • 1 4. 1 Cor. 13 : 1, 

from any smiul wight. 2 3 

And without love all actions prove 

but barren empty things ; 

Dead works they be and vanity, 



2 Chron. 25 : 2. 



the which vexation brings. 



3 



50 THEDAYOFDOOM. 

CI. 

" Nor from true Faitli, which quencheth wrath, 

hath your obedience flown ; 
Nor from true Love, which wont to move 

Believers, hath it grown. 
Your argument shews your intent 

in all that you have done ; 
You thought to scale Heav'n's lofty Wall 

by Ladders of your own. 

oil. 

"■ Your blinded spirit hoping to merit 

by 3^our own Righteousness, 
Needed no Savior but your behavior, 
Rom. 10 : 3. and blameless carriages. 

You trusted to what you could do, 

and in no need you stood ; 
Y^our haughty pride laid me aside. 

And trampled on my Blood. 

cm. 

" All men have gone astray, and done 
Rom. 9 : 30, 32. that which God's laws condemn ; 

fnd2u''S'^^' ^^* ^y Purchase and offer'd Grace 
All men did not contemn. 
The Ninevites and Sodomites 

had no such sin as this ; 
Yet as if all your sins were small, 
you say, ' All did amiss.' 

CIV. 

" Again you thought and mainly sought 

a name with men t' acquire ; 
Pride bare the Bell that made you swell, 

and your own selves admire. 



THE DAY OF DOOM. 



51 



Mean fruit it is, and vile, I wiss, 
that springs from such a root ; 

Virtue divine and genuine 

wonts not from pride to slioot. 



Mat. 6 •■ 5. 



cv. 

" Sucli deeds as your are worse than poor ; 

they are but sins gilt over 
With silver dross, vt^hose glist'ring gloss 

can them no longer cover. 
The best of them would you condemn, 

and ruin you alone. 
Although you were from faults so clear, 

that other you had none. 



Prov. 26 : 23. 
Mat. 23 : 27. 



cvi. 

" Your gold is brass, your silver drosF, 

your righteousness is sin ; 
And think you by such honesty 

Eternal life to win ? 
You much mistake, if for its sake 

you dream of acceptation ; 
Whereas the same deserveth shame 

and meriteth damnation." 



Prov. 15 : 8. 
Rom. 3 : 20. 



CVII, 

A wondrous crowd then 'gan aloud 

thus for themselves to say : 
"We did intend, Lord, to amend, 

and to reform our wn,y. 
Our true intent was to repent 

and make our peace with thee ; 
But sudden death stopping our breath, 

left us no liberty. 



Those that 
pretend want 
of opportunity 
to repent. 
Prov. 27 : 1. 
Jam. 4 : 13. 



52 THE DAY OF DOOM. 

CVIII, ^ 

" Short was our time, for in itr, prime 

our youthful pow'r was cropt ; 
"We died in youth before full growth, 

so was our purpose stopt. 
Let our good will to turn from ill, 

and sin to have forsaken, 
Accepted be, Lord, by thee, 

and in good part be taken." 

cix. 

To whom the Judge : " Where you allege 
Are confuted the shortness of the space, 

Eccri2 :'"r'^* ^^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^*^ ^^^ ^^^'^ ^^ ^^^^ 

Bev. 2 : 21. to compass saving Grace, 

It was Free Grace that any space 

was given you at all, 
To turn from evil, defy the Devil, 
and upon God to call. 

ex. 

' " One day, one week wherein to seek 

God's face with all your hearts, 

Luke 13 : 24. A favor was that far did pass 

^T^^'^'o^ L ^'c r. the best of your deserts. 
Heb. 3 : 7, 8, 9. -^ 

You had a season ; what was your reason 
such precious hours to waste ? 

What could you find, what could 3"ou mind 
that was of greater haste ? 

CXI. 

" Could you find time for vain pastime, 
for loose, licentious mirth ? 
Eccl. 11 : 9 For fruitless toys and fading joys, 

19"' 20!'^ ' ^^' *^^^ pe^is^ "^ *^^ ^^^*^ • 



THEDAYOFDOOM. 53 



Had you good leisure for carnal Pleasure, 

in days of health and youth ? 
And yet no space to seek God's face, 

and turn to him in truth ? 

CXII. 

" In younger years, beyond your fears, 

what if you were surprized ? Amos 6 : 3, 4, 

You put away the evil day, ^^ 5-16 

and of long life devised. Luke 19 : 42 

You oft were told, and might behold, 

that Death no Age doth spare ; 
"Why then did you your time foreslow, 

and slight your soul's welfare ? 

cxiir. 

" Had your intent been to repent, 

and had you it desir'd, 
There would have been endeavors seen Luke 13 : 24, 

before your time expir'd. pri*^! • 12 

God makes no treasure, nor hath he pleasure 

in idle purposes j 
Such fair pretenses are foul offenses, 

and cloaks for wickedness." 

cxiv. 

Then were brought in and charg'd with sin, 

another Company, 
Who by Petition obtain'd permission Some plead ex- 

to make Apology. ^^P^^^ «^ ^'^'^^^ 

They argued, " We were misled. Mat. 18 : 7. 

as is well known to thee. 
By their example that had more ample 

abilities than we ; 



54 THE D A Y O F D (^ O J.l . 

cxv. 
" Such, as profess'd they did detest 

and hate each wicked way ; 
Whose seeming grace whilst we did trace, 
our Souls were led astray. 
John 7 : 48. When men of Parts, Learning, and Arts, 
professing Piety, 
Did thus and thus, it seem'd to us 
we might take libertj^." 

cxvi. 

Who are told The Judge replies : " I gave you e^rc?., 

that examples n i ■,•■,. , 

are no Rules. ^^d light to see your way, 

Psal. 19 : 8, 11. Which had you lov'd and well improv'd, 
Exod. 23 : 2. i ■■ . . 

Psal. 50 : 17 7^'''^ ^^^ ^^'^ gone astray. 

18. My Word was pure, the P^ule was sure ; 

Why did you it forsake. 
Or thereon trample, and men's example 
your Directory make ? 

CXVII. 

" This you well knew : that God is true, 

and that most men are, liars, 
2 Tim. 3 : 5. In word professing holiness, 

in deed thereof deniers. 
simple fools ! that having Rules, 

your lives to regulate. 
Would them refuse, and rather choose 

vile men to imitate." 

CXVIII. 

They urge that " But, Lord," say they, " we went astray, 

they ^veve led ^^^ ^- j j.^^^.^ ^^Jckediy, 

by godly men s -^ ' 

Examples. But By means of those whom thou hast chose 

all their shifts Salvation's heirs to be." 



THE DAY OF DOOM 



55 



To whom the Judge : " What you allege 

doth nothing help the case, 
But makes appear how vile you were, 

and rend'reth you more base. 



turn to their 
greater shame. 



CXIX. 

" You understood that what was good, 

was to be followed. 
And that you ought that which was naught 

to have relinquished. 
Contrariwise it was your guise 

only to imitate 
Good men's defects, and their neglects 

who were regenerate. 



1 Cor. 11 
Phil. 4 : i 



1. 



cxx. 



"But to express their holiness, 

or imitate their grace. 
You little car'd, nor once prepar'd 

your hearts to seek my Face. 
They did repent and truly rent 

their hearts for all known sin ; 
You did ofiend, but not amend, 

to follow them therein." 



Psal. 32 : 5. 
2 Chron. 32 : 26. 
Mat. 26 : 75. 
Prov. 1 : 24, 25. 



CXXI. 

" We had thy Word," say some, " Lord, 

but wiser men than we 
Could never yet interpret it, 

but always disagree. 
How could we fools be led by Rules 

so far be5''ond our ken. 
Which to explain did so much pain 

and puzzle wisest men ?" 



Some plead the 
Scriptures' 
darkness, and 
difference 
among Inter- 
preters. 
2 Pet. 3 : 16. 



56 THE DAY OF DOOM. 

CXXII. 
They are con- " Was all my "Word abstruse and hard ?" 
Prov' 14 : 6. ^^® Judge then answered ; 

Isa. 35 : 8. " It did contain much Truth so plain 
"* you might have run and read. 

But what was hard you never car'd 

to know, or studied ; 
And things that were most plain and clear 
you never practis6d. 

CXXIII. 

" The ]\Iystery of Piety 

Mat. 11 : 25. God unto Babes reveals, 

Prov. 2 : 3, 4, 5. -^^^^ ^^ ^-^^ ^.^^ ^^ .^ ^^^.^^^ 

and from the world conceals. 
If to fulfil God's holy Will 

had seemed good to you, 
You would have sought light as you ought, 

and done the good you knew." 

cxxiv. 
Then came in view another crew, 

and 'gan to make their pleas j 
Amongst the rest, some of the best 
Others the fear had such poor shifts as these : 
Actsl8T22!°' " T^'°^ know'st right well, who all canst tell, 
we liv'd amongst thy foes. 
Who the Renate did sorely hate 
and goodness much oppose. 

cxxv. 
" We holiness durst not profess, 
John 12: 42, 43. fearing to be forlorn 

Of all our friends, and for amends 
to be the wicked's scorn. 



THE D AY OF DOOM. 57 



"We knew their anger would mncli endanger 

our lives and our estates ; 
Therefore, for fear, we durst appear 

no better than our mates." 



cxxvi. 

To whom the Lord returns this word : 

" wonderful deceits ! They are an- 

To cast off awe of God's strict law, Luke 1*2 : 4 5 

and fear men's wrath and threats ; ^Isa. 51 : 12, 13. 

To fear hell-lire and God's fierce ire 

less than the rage of men ; 
As if God's wrath could do less scath 

than wrath of bretheren ! 

CXXVII. 

" To use such strife, a temp'ral life 

to rescue and secure, 
And be so blind as not to mind 

that life that will endure ! 
This was your case, who carnal peace 

more than true joys did savor ; 
Who fed on dust, clave to your lust, 

and spurned at my favor. 

CXXVIII. 

" To please your kin, men's love to win, 

to flow in worldly wealth, Luke 9 : 23, 

To save your skin, these things have been ^^\^h « 

•^ ' ° and 16 : 2. 

more than Eternal health. 

You had your choice, wherein rejoice ; 

it was your porti-on. 
For which you chose your souls V expose 

unto Perditi-on. 

3* 



58 , THE DAY OF DOOM. 

CXXIX. 

"Who did not tate friends, life, and state, 
Luke 9 : 2C^. with all things else for me, 

Prov 8 : 36 j^^^ ^ij forsake and's Cross up-take 
John 3 : 19, 20. 

shall never happy be. 

"VTell worthy they to die for aye, 
who death than life had rather ; 

Death is their due that so value 
the friendship of my Father." 

• cxxx. 

Others plead Others argue, and not a few, 
for pardon both cqg j^q^ Qq^ graci-ous ? 
from God s ^ _, . -• /-., 

Mercy and His Equity and Clemency, 

^"^i^^r^A oo are they not marvellous ? 

Psal. 78 : 38. , , . , , i ■ -n n 

2 Kin. li : 26. Thus we believ'd ; are we deceivM i 

Cannot his ]Mercy great, 

(As hath been told to us of old,) 

assuage his anger's heat ? 

cxxxi. 
" How can it be that God should see ^ 

his Creatures' endless pain. 
Or hear their groans and rueful moan ^, 

and still his wrath retain ? 
Can it agree with Equity, 

can Mercy have the heart. 
To recompense few years' offense 

with everlasting smart ? 

CXXXII. 

" Can God delight in such a sight 

as sinners' misery ? 

Psal. 30 : 9. Or what great good can this our blood 
Mic. 7 : 18. ■jjj.i^g yjj^Q ti^e jj^ogt xijgli 7 



THE DAY OF DOOM. 



69 



thou that dost tliy Glory most 

in pard'ning sin display, 
Lord, miglit it please tliee to release 

and pardon us this day ! 

CXXXIII. 

" Unto thy name more glorious fame 

would not such IMercy bring ? 
Would not it raise thine endless praise, 

more than our sulFering ?" 
"With that they cease, holding their peace, 

but cease not still to weep ; 
Grief ministers a flood of tears, 

in which their words do steep. 



CXXXIV. 

But all too late ; grief 's out of date, 

when Life is at an end. 
The glorious King thus answering, 

ail to his voice attend : 
" God gracious is," quoth he ; " like his, 

no mercy can be found : 
His Equity and Clemency 

to sinners do abound, 



They are 
answered. 



cxxxv. 
" As may appear by those that here 

are plac'd at my right hand, 
Whose stripes I bore, and clear'd the score, 

that they might quitted stand. 
For surely none but God alone, ^ 

whose Grace transcends men's thought. 
For such as those that were his foes 

like wonders would have wrought. 



Mercy now 
shines forth in 
the vessels of 
Mercy. 
Mic. 7 : 18 
Rom. 9 : 23. 



60 THEDAYOFDOOM. 

CXXXVI. 

Did also wait " And none but lie such lenity 

abusedTt^ ""^ ^^^ patience would have shown 
Rom. 2:4. To you so long, who did him wrong, 
Hos. 11 : 4. ^^^ p^jp^ j^.g ju(jgnient down. 

How long a space, stiff-neck'd race, 

did patience you afford ? 
How oft did love you gently move, 

to turn unto the Lord ? 

CXXXVII. 

" With chords of love God often strove 
Luke 13 : 34. your stubborn hearts to tame ; 
GraceYowpast Nevertheless your wickedness 
did still resist the same. 
If now at last Mercy be past 

from you for evermore, 
And Justice come in Mercy's room, 
yet grudge you not therefore. 

CXXXVIII. 

" If into wrath God turned hath 
his long, long-suffering, 
Luke 19 : 42, And now for love you vengeance prove, 
Jude 4. i* is an equal thing. 

Your waxing worse hath stopt the course 

of wonted Clemency, 
Mercy refus'd and Grace misus'd 
call for severity. 

CXXXIX. 

" It's now high time that ev'ry Crime 
Rom. 2 : 5, 6. be brought to punishment ; 
Amos 2 : 13. Wrath long contain'd and oft restrain'd, 
Gen. 18 : 25. at last must have a vent. 



THEDAYOFDOOM. 61 

Justice severe cannot forbear 

to plague sin any longer, 
But must inflict with liand most strict 

mischief upon the wronger. 

CXL. 

" In vain do they for Mercy pray, Mat. 25 : 3, 1, 

the season being past, p^.^^ ^2 : 8 29 

Who had no care to get a share 30. 

therein, while time did last. 
The man whose ear refus'd to hear 

the voice of Wisdom's cry, 
Earn'd this reward, that none regard 

him in his misery. 

CXLI. 

" It doth agree with Equity Isa. 5 : 18, 19. 

and with God's holy Law, gen. 2 : 17. 

That those should die eternally 

that Death upon them draw. 
The soul that sins Damnation wins, 

for so the Law ordains ; 
Which Law is just; and therefore must 

such suffer endless pains. 

CXLII. 

" Eternal smart is the desert 

ev'n of the least offense ; 
Then wonder not if I allot Rom. 6 : 23. 

to you this Recompense ; ^ ^^^^' ^ = ^' 9- 

But wonder more that since so sore 

and lasting plagues are due 
To every sin, you liv'd therein, 

who well the danger knew. 



02 THEDAYOFDOOM. 

CXLIII. 

Ezek. 83 : 11. " God liatli no joy to crusli or 'stro}^, 

mid'^ll^^lk"' ^^^ ^^^^ wretclied wiglits ; 

But to display the glorious Ray 

of Justice he delights. 
To manifest he doth detest, 
and throughly hate all sin, 
Rom. 9 : 22. By plaguing it as is most fit — 
this shall him Glory win." 

CXLIV. 

Some pretend Then at the Bar arraigned are 
they were shut ^n impudenter sort, 
out of Heaven ._^. . , .,, i , , .i 

bv God's Who to evade the guilt that's laid 

S^^^^o ^o .« Upon them, thus retort: 
Rom. 9 : 18, 19. ^ ^ 

'' How could we cease thus to transgress f 

How could we Hell avoid, 

Whom God's Decree shut out from thee, 

and sign'd to be destroy'd ? 

CXLV. 

" Whom God ordains to endless pains 
by Law unalterable, 
Heb. 22 : 17. Repentance true, Obedience new, 
Rom. 11 : 7, 8. ^Q gg^yg such are unable. 

Sorrow for sin no good can win, 

to such as are rejected ; 
Nor can they grieve nor yet believe, 

that never were elected. 

CXLVI. 

" Of Man's fall'n race, who can true Grace 

or Holiness obtain ? 
Who can convert or change his heart, 

if God withhold the same ? 



■"HE DAY OF DOOM 



63 



Had we applied ourselves and tried 
as mucli as who did mo.t, 

God's love to gain, our busy pain 
and labor bad been lost." 



CXLVII. 

Christ readily makes this Reply: 

" I damn you not because 
You are rejected, nor yet elected ; 

but you have broke my Laws. 
It is in vain your wits to strain 

the end and means to sever ; 
Men fondly seek to part or break 

what God hath link'd together. 



Their pleas 
taken off. 
Lake 13 : 27. 
2 Pet. 1 : 9, 10, 
compared willi 
Mat. 19 : 16. 



CXLVIII. 

" Whom God will save, such he will have 

the means of life to use ; 
Whom he'll pass by shall choose to die, 

and ways of life refuse. 
He that fore-sees and fore-decrees, 

in wisdom order' d has. 
That man's free-will, electing ill, 

shall bring his Will to pass. 



Acts 3 : 19, 
and 16 : 31. 

1 Sam. 2 : 15. 
John 3 : 19. 
Job 5 : 40. 

2 Thes. 2 : 11, 
12. 



CXLIX. 

" High God's Decree, as it is free, 

so doth it none compel 
Against their will to good or ill ; 

it forceth none to Hell. 
They have their wish whose Souls perish 

with Torments in Hell-fire, 
Who rather choose their souls to lose, 

than leave a loose desire. 



Ezek. 33 : 11, 

12. 

Luke 13: 34. 

Prov. 8 : 33, 

36. 



64 THEDAYOFDOOM 

CL. 

Gen. 2 J 17. " God did ordain sinners to pain, 
42 * ' yet Le to Hell sends none 

£zek. 18 : 20. But such as swerv'd and have deserv'd 
destruction as their own. 
His pleasure is, that none from Bliss 

and endless happiness 
Be barr'd, but such as wrong'd him much, 
by willful wickedness. 

CLI. 

" You, sinful Crew ! no other knew 

2 Pet. 1 : 10. but you miorht be elect : 

Acts 13 : 46. JO } 

Luke 13 : 24. Why did you then yourselves condemn ? 

Why did you me reject 1 
Where was your strife to gain that life 

which lasteth evermore ? 
You never knock' d, yet say God lock'd 

against you Heaven's door. 

CLII. 

Mat. 7 : 7, 8 « 'Twas no vain task to knock and ask, 
whilst life continued. 
Who ever sought Heav'n as he ought, 
and seeking perished ? 
r The lowly, meek, who truly seek 

for Christ and for Salvation, 
Gal. 5 : 22, 23. There's no decree whereby such be 
ordain'd to condemnation. 

CLIII. 

" You argue then : ' But abject men, 
whom God resolves to spill, 

Cannot repent, nor their hearts rent ; 
nor can they change their will.' 



THEDAYOFDOOM. (55 

Not for his Ca?^ is any man 

adjudged unto Hell, 
But for his Will to do what's ill, John 3 : 19. 

and nil ling to do well. 

CLIV. 

" I often stood tend'ring my Blood 

to wash away your guilt, 
And eke my Sprite to frame you right, 

lest your Souls should be spilt. 
But you, vile Race, rejected Grace, John 5 : 40. 

when Grace was freely proflfer'd, 
No changed heart, no heav'nly part 

would you, when it was offer' d. 

CLV. 

" "Who willfully the remedy, 

and means of life contemned. 
Cause have the same themselves to blame, John 15 : 22, 

if now they be condemned. ^^- ^ 

You have yourselves, you and none else, Isa. 66 : 34. 

to blame that you must die j 
You chose the way to your decay, 

and perish'd willfully." 

CLVI. 

These words appall and daunt them all, 

dismay'd and all amort. 
Like stocks that stand at Christ's left hand 

and dare no more retort. 
Then were brought near with trembling fear, 

a number numberless, 
Of Blind Heathen and brutish men, 

that did God's Law transgress : 



6G 



THE DAY OF DOOM 



CLVII. 



Heathen men 
plead want of 
the Written 
Word. 



TVliose wicked ways Christ open lays, 

and makes their sins appear, 
They making pleas their case to ease, 

if not themselves to clear. 
"Thy Written Word," say they, "good 

we never did enjoy; 
We ne'er refus'd, nor it abus'd ; 

Oh, do not us destroy !" 



Lord, 



Mat. 11 : 22. 
Luke 12 : 48. 



CLVIII. 

" You ne'er abus'd, nor yet refus'd 

my Written Word, you plead; 
That's true," quoth he, " therefore shall 3-e 

the less be punished. 
You shall not smart for any part 

of other men's offense, 
But for your own transgressi-on 

receive due recompense." 



CLIX. 



1 Cor. 1 : 21, 
Insufficiency" 
of the light 
of Nature, 



" But we were blind," say they, " in mind ; 

too dim was Nature's Light, 
Our only guide, as hath been tried, 

to bring us to the sight 
Of our estate degenerate, 

and curs'd by Adam's Fa'l ; 
How we were born and lay forlorn 

in bondage and in thrall. 



CLX. 



"We did not know a Christ till now, 
nor how fall'n men be saved, 

Else would we not, right well we wot, 
have so ourselves behaved. 



THE DAY OF DOOM. 



G7 



"We should have mourn'd, we should have turn'd 

from sin at thy Reproof, 
And been more wise through thy advice, 

for our own soul's behoof. Mat. 11 : 22. 



CLXI. 

" But Nature's light shin'd not so bright, 

to teach us the right way : 
We might have lov'd it and well improv'd it, 

and yet have gone astray." 
The Judge most High makes this Reply : Thev are 

" You ignorance pretend. 
Dimness of sight, and want of light, 

your course Heav'nward to bend. 



answered. 



CLXII. 

" How came your mind to be so blind ? 

I once you knowledge gave. 
Clearness of sight and judgment light : 

who did the same deprave ? 
If to your cost you have it lost, 

and quite defac'd the same, 
Your own desert hath caus'd the smart ; 

you ought not me to blame. 



Gen. 1 : 27. 
Eccl. 7 : 29. 
Hos. 13 : 9. 



CLXIII. 

" Yourselves into a pit of woe, 

your own transgression led ; 
If I to none my Grace had shown, 

who had been injured? 
If to a few, and not to you, 

I shew'd a way of life, 
My Grace so free, you clearly see, 

gives you no ground of strife. 



Mat. 11 : 25, 
compared with 
20 : 15. 



08 THEDAYOFDOOM. 

CLXIV. 

" 'Tis vain to tell, you wot fall well, 

if you in time liad known 
Your misery and remedy, 
your actions had it sliown : 
Rom. 1 : 20, You, sinful Crew, have not been true 
^^' ^'^- unto the Light of Nature, 

Nor done the good you understood, 
nor owned your Creator. 

CLXV. 

" He that the Light, because 'tis slight, 
hath used to despise, 
Rom. 2 : 12, 15, Would not the Light shining more bright, 

MaVl2f41. ^® ^'^^^y ^^^ *^ P^^^^- 

If you had lov'd, and well improv'd 

your knowledge and dim sight, 

Herein your pain 'had not been vain, 

your plagues had been more light." 

CLXVI. 

Reprobate In- Then to the Bar all they drew near 
fants plead for ^yi^Q ^ied in infancy. 

Rev. 20 : 12, And never had or good or bad 

^^' , . , effected pers'nally : 

compared with _ . , , 

Rom. 5 : 12, 14, But from the womb unto the tomb 

^^^^ 'A^'}^' were straightway carried, 
Ezek. 18 : 2. ° *' ' 

(Or at the least ere they transgress'd) 

who thus began to plead : 

CLXVII. 

" If for our own transgressi-on, 

or disobedience. 
We here (iid stand at thy left hand, 

just were the Recompense; 



THEDAYOFBOOM. /.q 



But Adam's guilt our souls hath spilt, 
his fault is ckarg'd upon us ; 

And that alone hath overthrown 
and utterly undone us. 



CLXVIII. 

" Not we, but he ate of the Tree, 

whose fruit was interdicted ; 
Yet on us all of his sad Fall 

the punishment's inflicted. 
How could we sin that had not been, 

or how is his sin our, 
Without consent, which to prevent 

we never had the pow'r ? 

CLXIX. 

" great Creator why was our Nature 

depraved and forlorn ? 
Why so dehl'd, and made so vil'd, 

whilst we were jet unborn ? 
If it be just, and needs we must 

transgressors reckon'd be. 
Thy Mercy, Lord, to us afford, Psal. 51 : 5. 

which sinners hath set free. 

CLXX. 

" Behold we see Adam set free, 

and sav'd from his trespass, 
Whose sinful Fall hath split us all, 

and brought us to this pass. 
Canst thou deny us once to try, 

or Grace to us to tender, 
When he finds grace before thy face, 

who was the chief offender ?'' 



48, 49. 



70 THE DAY OF DOOM. 

CLXXI. 

Then answered the Judge most dread : 

Their argu- " God doth such doom forbid, 

ments taken off. mi , i , -. -,. 

Ezek. 18 : 20. -'-^^* "^^^ should die eternally 
Eom. 5 : 12, 19. for what they never did. 

But what you call old Adam's Fall, 

and only his Trespass, 
You call amiss to call it his, 
both his and yours it was. 

CLXXII. 

" He was design'd of all Mankind 

to be a public Head ; 
l«^°q ^^ ■ -^ common Root, whence all should shoot, 

and stood in all their stead. 
He stood and fell, did ill or well, 

not for himself alone. 
But for you all, who now his Fall 

and trespass would disown. 

CLXXIII. 

" If he had stood, then all his brood 

had been established 
In God's true love never to move, 

nor once awry to tread ; 
Then all his Eace my Father's Grace 

should have enjoy'd for ever. 
And wicked Sprites by subtile sleights 

could them have harmed never. 

CLXXIV. 

Would you have griev'd to have receiv'd 
through Adam so much good, 

As had been your for evermore, 
if he at first had stood ? 



THEDAYOFDOOT.r. ^l 



Would you have said, ' We ne'er obey'd 

nor did thy laws regard ; 
It ill befits with benefits, 

us, Lord, to so reward V 

CLXXV. 

" Since then to share in his welfare, 

you could have been content, 
You may with reason share in his treason, 

and in the punishment. Rom. 5 : 12. 

Hence you were born in statfe forlorn, ^^^^' ^^ ' ^• 

with JNatures so. depraved j 
Death was your due because that you 

had thus yourselves behaved. 

CLXXVI. 

" You think ' If we had been as he^ 

whom God did so betrust, 
W^e to our cost would ne'er have lost 

all for a paltry lust.' 
Had you been made in Adam's stead, Mat. 23 : 30, 31. 

you would like things have wrought, 
And so into the self-same woe, 

yourselves and yours have brought. 

CLXXVII. 

" I may deny you once to try, 

or Grace to you to tender. 

Though he finds Grace before my face Rom. 9 : 15, 18. 

who was the chief oifender ; '^^^ ^^^® ^^f^- 

' Rom. 5 : 15. 

Else should my Grace cease to be Grace, 

for it would not be free, 

If to release whom I should please 

I have no liberty. 



72 THE DAY OF DOOM. 

CLXXVIII. 

" If upon one what's due to none. 

I frankly shall bestow, 
And on the rest shall not think best 

compassion's skirt to throw, 
Whom injure T ? will you envy 

and grudge at others' weal ? 
Or me accuse, who do refuse 

yourselves to help and heal ? 

CLXXIX. 

" Am I alone of what's my own, 

no Master or no Lord ? 
Mat. 20 : 15. And if I am, how can you claim 

what I to sonie afford ? 
Will you demand Grace at my hand, 

and challenge what is mine ? 
Will you teach me whom to set free, 

and thus my Grace confine ? 

CLXXX. 

Psal. 58 : 8. " You sinners are, and such a share 

Q^'g . 10^' as sinners, may expect ; 

Rom. 8 : 29,^ Such you shall have, for I do save 

Sv!21 ! 27.^' ^^^® ^"* ^^^^ <^^'n Elect. 

Luke 12 : 14,8. Yet to compare your sin with their 

Mat. 11 : 22. „-u v 5J i 

who liv'd a longer time, 

I do confess yours is much less, 

though every sin's a crime. 

CLXXXI. 

The wicked all " A crime it is, therefore in bliss 

pu"tt"fe„'c"e'! yo» -"-y "ot "^"p^ to d^e" ; 

Rom. 3 : 19. But unto you I shall allow 
Mat. 22 : 12. ^Yie easiest room in Hell." 



THEDAYOFDOOM 73 



The glorious King thus answering, 

they cease, and plead no longer ; 
Their Consciences must needs confess 

his Reasons are the stronger. 

CLXXXII. 

Thus all men's pleas the Judge with ease Behold the 

doth answer and confute, Sutetf all the 

Until that all, both great and small, ungodly as they 

• I ^j J , stand hopeless 

are Silenced and mute. and helpless 

Vain hopes are cropt, all mouths are stopt, before an im- 

T_ 1 X J. partial Judge, 

Sinners have naught to say, expecting their 

But that 'tis just and equal most final Sentence, 

they should be damn'd for aye. • • ? • 

CLXXXIII. 

Now what remains, but that to pains 

and everlasting smart, 
Christ should condemn the sons of men, 

which is their just desert ? 
Oh rueful plights of sinful wights ! 

Oh wretches all forlorn ! 
'T had happy been they ne'er had seen 

the sun, or not been born. 

CLXXXIV. 

Yea now it would be good they could 

themselves annihilate. 
And cease to be, themselves to free 

from such a fearful state. 
happy Dogs, and Swine, and Frogs, 

yea. Serpent's generation ! 
Who do not fear this doom to hear, 

and sentence of Damnation ! 



74 TIIEDAYOFDOOM. 

CLXXXV. 

This is tlieir state so desperate ; 

tlieir sins are fully known ; 
Tlieir vanities and villanies 
Psal. 139 : 2, 3, before tlie world are shown. 

Eccl. 12 • 14. -^^ ^^^y ^^® gross and impious, 
so are their numbers more 
Than motes in th' Air, or than their hair, 
or sands upon the shore. 

CLXXXVI. 

Divine Justice offended is, 

and satisfaction claim eth ; 
God's wrathful ire, kindled like fire. 
Mat. 25 : 45. against them fiercely flameth. 

Their Judge severe doth quite cashier, 

and all their pleas off take, 
That ne'er a man, or dare, or can 

a further answer make. 

CLXXXVII. 

Their mouths are shut, each man is put 
Mat. 22 : 12. to silence and to shame, 

Luke 19 ^'42! ^^^ ^^^^ *^®y aught within their thought, 
Christ's Justice for to blame. 
The Judge is just, and plague them must, 

nor will he Mercj^ shew, 
For Mercy's day is past away 
to any of this Crew. 

CLXXXVIII. 

The Judge is strong, doers of wrong 
Mat. 28 : 18. cannot his pow'r withstand ; 

None can by flight run out of sight, 
■ - nor 'scape out of his hand. 



THEDAYOFDOOM. 75 

Sad is their state ; for Advocate, 

to plead tlieir cause, there's none ; Psal. 137 : 7- 

None to prevent their punishment, 

or mis'ry to bemoan. 

CLXXXIX. 

dismal day ! whither shall they 

for help and succor flee ? 
To God above with hopes to move 

their greatest Enemy ? Isa. 33 : 14. 

His wrath is great, whose burning heat -^^^^^ 25': 19. 

no floods of tears can slake ; 
His Word stands fast that they be cast 

into the burning Lake. 

cxc 

To Christ their Judge ? He doth adjudge Mat. 25 : 41, 

them to the Pit of Sorrow ; 12? '^^ '' ^^' "' 

Nor will he hear, or cry or tear, 

nor respite them one morrow. 
To Heav'n, alas ! they cannot pass, 

it is against them shut ; 
To enter there (0 heavy cheer) 

they out of hopes are put. 

cxci. 

Unto their Treasures^ or to their Pleasures? Luke 12 : 20. 

All these have them forsaken ; Deut. 32 :^2 * 

Had they full cofiers to make large offers, 

their gold would not be taken. 
Unto the place where whilom was 

their birth and Education 1 
Lo ! Christ begins for their great sins, 

to fire the Earth's Foundation ; 



76 THEDAYOFDOOM. 

CXCII. 

And by and by the flaming Sky 

shall drop like molten Lead 
About their ears, t' increase their fears, 
2 Pet. 3 : 10. and aggravate their dread. 

To Angel's good that ever stood 

in their integrity, 
Should they betake themselves, and make 

their suit incessantly ? 

CXCIII. 

They've neither skill, nor do they will 

to work them any ease ; 
They will not mourn to see them burn, 
Mat. 13 : 41 42. nor beg for their release. 
Rev. 20 : 13, 15. To wicked men, their bretheren 
in sin and wickedness, 
Should they make moan ? Their case is one ; 
they're in the same distress. 

cxciv. 

Ah ! cold comfort and mean support, 

from such like Comforters ! 
Ah ! little joy of Company, 
Luke 16 : 28. and fellow-sufferers ! 

Such shall increase their heart's disease, 

and add unto their woe, 
Because that they brought to decay 

themselves and many moe. 

cxcv. 

Unto the Saints with sad complaints 

should they themselves apply ? 

Rev. 21 : 4. They're not dejected nor aught affected 
Psal. 68 : 10. ^-^j^ ^^jj ^j^^-j. ^[^Q^y. 



THE DAY OF DOOM 



77 



Friends stand aloof and make no proof 
what Prayers or Tears can do 5 

Your Godly friends are now more friends 
to Christ than unto vou. 



cxcvi. 

Where tender love men's hearts did move 

unto a sympathy, 
And bearing part of others' smart 

in their anxiety, 
Now such compassion is out of fashion, 

and wholly laid aside ; 
No friends so near, but Saints to hear 

their Sentence can abide. 



1 Cor. 6 : 2. 



CXCVII. 

One natural Brother beholds another 

in his astonied tit. 
Yet sorrows not thereat a jot, 

nor pities him a whit. 
The godly Wife conceives no grief, • 

nor can she shed a tear 
For the sad state of her dear Mate, 

when she his doom doth hear. 



Compare 
Prov. 1 : 2G. 
with 1 John 3 
2, and 2 Cor. 
5:16. 



CXCVIII. 

He that was erst a Husband pierc'd 

with sense of Wife's distress. 
Whose tender heart did bear a part 

of all her grievances, 
Shall mourn no more as heretofore, 

because of her ill plight. 
Although he see her now to be 

a damn'd forsaken wight. 



78 THEDAYOFDOOM. 

CXCIX. 

The tender Mother will own no other 

of all her num'rous brood, 
But such as stand at Christ's right hand, 
Luke 16 : 25, acquitted through his Blood. 

The pious Father had now much rather 

his graceless Son should lie 
In Hell with Devils, for all his evils, 

burning eternally, 

cc. 
Than God most High should injury 
by sparing him sustain ; 
Psal. 58 : 10. And doth rejoice to hear Christ's voice, 
adjudging him to pain. 
Thus having all, both great and small, 

convinc'd and silenced, 
Christ did proceed their Doom to read, 
and thus it uttered : 

cci. 
The Judge "Ye sinful wights and cursed spriglits^ 
LTsr^ceof thalworkinnuity, 
condemnation. Depart together from me for ever 
Mat 25 : 41. ^^ ^^^^^^^^ Misery ; 

Your portion take in yonder Lake, 
where Fire and Brimstone fameth ; 

Suffer the smart which your desert, 
as its due wages claimeth" 

ecu. 
The terror Oh piercing words, more sharp than swords ! 
^^ ^^' What ! to depart from Thee, 

Whose face before for evermore 
the best of Pleasures be ! 



THEDAYOFDOOM. 79 

What ! to depart (unto our smart), 

from thee Eternally ! 
To be for aye banish'd away 

with Devils' company ! 

CCIII. 

What ! to be sent to Punishment, 

and flames of burning Fire ! 
To be surrounded, and eke confounded 

with God's revengeful Ire ! 
What ! to abide, not for a tide, 

these Torments, but for Ever ! 
To be releas'd, or to be eas'd, 

not after years, but Never ! 

cciv. 

Oh fearful Doom ! now there's no room 

for hope or help at all ; 
Sentence is past which aye shall last ; 

Christ will not it recall. 
Then might you hear them rend and tear 

the Air with their out-cries ; 
The hideous noise of their sad voice 

ascendeth to the Skies. 

ccv. . 

They wring their hands, their caitiff-hands, 

and gnash their teeth for terror ; Luke 13 : 38. 

They cry, they roar for anguish sore, Vro\. - . 

and gnaw their tongues for horror. 
But get away without delay, 

Christ pities not your cry ; 
Depart to Hell, there may you yell, 

and roar Eternally. 



80 



THE DAY OF DOOM, 



CCVI. 

That word "Depart" maugre their heart, 
It is put in drives every wicked one, 

Executior^ With mighty pow'r, the self-same hour, 
far from the Judge's Throne. 
Away they're chas'd by the strong blast 

of his Death-threat'ning mouth ; 
They flee full fast, as if in haste, 
although they be full loath. 

CCVII. 

As chaff that's dry, as dust doth fly 
Mat. 13 : 41, 42. before the Northern wind. 

Right so are they chased away, 

and can no Refuge And. 
They hasten to the Pit of Woe^ 

guarded by Angels stout. 
Who to fulfil Christ's holy Will, 

attend this wicked Rout ; 



Hell. 
Mat. 25 
Mark 9 : 
Isa. 30 : 
K^v. 21 



[30, 
42. 
33. 



CCVIII. 

Whom having brought as they are taught, 

unto the brink of Hell, 
(That dismal place, far from Christ s face, 

where Death and Darkness dwell, 
Where God's fierce Ire kindleth the fire, 

and vengeance feeds the flame. 
With piles of Wood and Brimstone Flood, 

so none can quench the same,) 



ccix. 

Wicked men With Iron bands they bind their hands 

and Devils cast ^nd cursed feet together, 
into it forever. ■, ^^ 

Mat. 22 : 13, And cast them all, both great and small, 
and 25 : 46. -^^^^ ^^^^ j^^-^^ forever, 



THE DAY OF DOOM. 



81 



Where day and night, without respite, 
they wail, and cry and howl, 

For tort'ring pain which they sustain, 
in Body and in Soul. 



ecx. 

For day and night, in their despite, 

their torment's smoke ascendeth. 
Their pain and grief have no relief, 

their anguish never endeth. 
There must they lie and never die, 

though dying every day ; 
There must they dying ever lie, 

and not consume away. 



Rev. 14 : 10, 11. 



ccxi. 

Die fain they would if die they could, 

but Death will not be had ; 
God's direful wrath their bodies hath 

forev'r immortal made. 
They live to lie in misery, 

and bear eternal woe ; 
And live they must whilst God is just, 

that he may plague them so. 



CCXII. 

But who can tell the plagues of Hell, 

and torments exquisite ? 
Who can relate their dismal state, 

and terrors infinite ? 
Who fare the best and feel the least, 

yet feel that punishment 
Whereby to nought they would be brought 

if God did not prevent. 



The unsufFera- 
ble torments of 
the Damned. 
Luke 16 24. 
Jude 7. 



82 THEDAYOFDOOM. 

CCXIII. 

The least degree of misery 
there felt is incomparable ; 
Isa. 33 : 14. The lightest pain they there sustain 
Mark 9 : 43, 44. jg ^^^^ ^^^^ intolerable. 

But God's great pow'r from hour to hour 

upholds them in the fire, 
That they shall not consume a jot 

nor by its force expire. 

ccxiv. 
But, ahj the woe they undergo 

{they more than all beside) 
Who had the light, and knew the right, 
Luke 12 : 47. yet would not it abide ! 

The sev'n fold smart which to their part 

and porti-on doth fall. 
Who Christ's free Grace would not embrace, 
nor hearken to his call. 

ccxv. 
The Amorites and Sodomites, 
Mat. 11 : 24. although their plagues be sore, 

Yet find some ease compar'd to these, 

who feel a great deal more. 
Almighty God, whose Iron Rod, 

to smite them never lins. 
Doth most declare his Justice rare 
in plaguing these men's sins. 

ccxvi. 

The pain of loss their souls doth toss, 

Luke 16 : 23, and wond'rously distress, 
25, and 13 : 28. ^ , , . , . ^ ^/ ■, ' 

io thmk what they have cast away 

by willful wickedness. 



THE DAY OF DOOM. 



83 



" We might have been redeem'd from sin," 

think they, " and liv'd above. 
Being possesst of Heav'nly rest, 

and joying in God's love. 



CCXVII. 

" But woe, woe, woe, our Souls unto ! 

we would not happy be ; 
And therefore bear God's vengeance here 

to all Eternity. 
Experience and woful sense 

must be our painful teachers, 
Who'd not believe, nor credit give 

unto our faithful Preachers." 



Luke 13 : 24. 



CCXVIII. 

Thus shall they lie and wail and cry, 

tormented and tormenting ; 
Their galled hearts with poison'd darts, 

but now too late repenting. 
There let them dwell in th' Flames of Hell 

there leave we them to burn, 
And back again unto the men 

whom Christ acquits, return. 



Mat. 9 : 44. 
Rom. 2 : 15. 



ccxix. 

The Saints behold with courage bold 

and thankful wonderment, 
To see all those that were their foes 

thus sent to punishment. 
Then do they sing unto their King 

a Song of endless Praise ; 
They praise his Name and do proclaim 

that just are all his ways. 



The Saints 
rejoice to see 
Judgment exe- 
cuted upon the 
Wicked World. 
Psal. 68 : 10. 
Rev. 10 : 1, 
2,3. 



84 



THE DAY OF DOOM. 



They ascend 
with Christ in- 
to Heaven tri- 
umphing. 
Mat. 25 : 46. 



1 John 3 : 2. 
1 Cor. 13 12. 

Their eternal 
happiness and 
incomparable 
glory there. 



ccxx. 

Thus with great joy and melody 

to Heav'n they all ascend, 
Him there to praise with sweetest lays, 

and Hymns that never end ; 
Where with long rest they shall be blest, 

and naught shall them annoy, 
"Where they shall see as seen they be, 

and whom they love enjoy. 

ccxxi. 

Oh glorious Place ! where face to face il 

Jehovah may be seen, 
By such as were sinners while here, 

and no dark veil between ! 
Where the Sunshine and light Divine 

of God's bright countenance, 
Doth rest upon them every one, . 

with sweetest influence ! 



CCXXII. 

Oh blessed state of the Renate ! 

Oh wond'rous happiness. 
To which they're brought beyond what thought 
Kev. 21 : 4. can reach or words express ! 

Grief's watercourse and sorrow's source ' 

are turn'd to joyful streams; 
Their old distress and heaviness 

are vanished like dreams. 



Psal. 16 : 11. 



CCXXIII. 

For God above in arms of love 

doth dearly them embrace. 
And fills their sprights with such delights, 

and pleasures in his Grace, 



THE DAY OF DOOM. 85 

As shall not fail, nor yet grow stale, 

through frequency of use ; 
Nor do they fear God's favor there 

to forfeit by abuse. 

ccxxiv. 

For there the Saints are perfect Saints, 

and holy ones indeed ; 
From all the sin that dwelt within Heb. 12 : 23. 

their mortal bodies freed ; 
Made Kings and Priests to God through Christ's 

dear Love's transcendency, 
There to remain and there to reign Rev. 1 : 6, 

with him Eternally. *n<i 22 : 5. 



A SHORT DISCOURSE ON ETERNITY, 



What mortal man can with a Span 

mete out Eternity ? 
Or fathom it by depth of Wit, 

or strength of Memory ? 
The lofty Sky is not so high, 

Hell's depth to this is small ; 
The World so wide is but a stride, 

compared therewithal. 

It is a main great Oce-an 

withouten bank or bound, 
A deep Abyss, wherein there is 

no bottom to be found. 
This World hath stood now since the Flood, 

four thousand years well near. 
And had before endured more 

than sixteen hundred year. 

But what's the time from the World's prime, 

unto this present day, 
If we thereby Eternity 

to measure should essay ? 
The whole duration since the Creation, 

though long, yet is more little. 
If placed by Eternity, 

than is the smallest tittle. 



88 ETERNITY. 

Tell every Star both near and far, 

in Heav'n's bright Canopy 
That doth appear throughout the year 

of high or low degree : 
Tell every Tree that thou canst see 

in this vast Wilderness, 
Up in the "Woods, down by the Floods, 

in thousand miles Progress : 

The sum is vast, yet not so vast 

but that thou may'st go on 
To multiply the leaves thereby, 

that hang those Trees upon : 
Add thereunto the Drops that thou 

imaginest to be 
In April Show'rs, that bring forth Flow'rs 

and blossoms plenteously : 

Number the Fowls and living Souls 

that through the Air do fly, 
The winged Hosts in all their Coasts 

beneath the starry Sky : 
Count all the Grass as thou dost pass 

through many a pasture-land, 
And dewy Drops that on the tops 

of Herbs and Plants do stand : 

Number the Sand upon the Strand, 

and atoms of the Air; 
And do thy best on Man and Beast, 

to reckon every Hair : 
Take all the Dust, if so thou lust, 

and add to thine Account : 
Yet shall the Years of Sinners' tears, 

the Number far surmount. 



ETERNITY. 89 

Naught join'd to nauglit can ne'er make auglit, 

nor Cyphers make a Sum ; 
Nor things finite, to infinite 

by multiplying come : 
A Cockle-shell may serve as well 

to lade the Ocean dry 
As finite things and reckonings 

to bound Eternity. 

Oh happy they that live for aye, 

with Christ in Heav'n above ! 
Who know withal that nothing shall 

deprive them of his love. 
Eternity^ Eternity ! 

Oh ! were it not for thee, 
The Saints in bliss and happiness 

could never happy be. 

For if they were in any fear 

that this their joy might cease, 
It would annoy (if not destroy) 

and interrupt their peace. 
But being sure it shall endure 

so long as God shall live ; 
The thoughts of this, unto their bliss, 

do full perfection give. 

Cheer up ye Saints amidst your wants 

and sorrows many a one j 
Lift up the head, shake off all dread, 

and moderate your moan. 
Your sufferings and evil things 

will suddenly be past ; 
Your sweet Fruitions and blessed Visions, 

for evermore shall last. 



90 ETERNITY. 

Lament and mourn you that must burn 

amidst those flaming Seas : 
If once you come to such a doom, 

for ever farewell ease. 
sad estate and desperate, 

that never can be mended, 
Until God's Will shall change, or till 

Eternity be ended ! 

If any one this Questi-on 

shall unto me propound : 
What ! have the years of Sinners' tears 

no limits or no bound ? 
It kills our heart to think of smart, 

and pains that last for ever j 
And hear of fire that shall expire, 

or be extinguish'd never, 

I'll answer make (and let them take 

my words as I intend them ; 
For this is all the Cordi-al 

that here I have to lend them : ) 
When Heav'n shall cease to flow with peace 

and all felicity. 
Then Hell may cease to be the place 

of Woe and Misery. 

When Heav'n is Hell, when 111 is Well, 

when Virtue turns to Vice ; 
When Wrong is Right, when Dark is Light, 

when Naught is of great price ; 
Then may the years of Sinners' tears 

and sufferings expire. 
And all the Hosts of damned Ghosts 

escape out of Hell-fire. 



ETERNITY. 91 



When Christ above shall cease to lovo, 

when God shall cease to reign 
And be no more as heretofore 

the World's great Sovereign ; 
Or not be just, or favor lust, , 

or in IMen's sins delight ; 
Then wicked men (and not till then) 

to Heav'n may take their flight. 

When God's great Power shall be brought lower, 

by foreign Puissance, 
Or be decay'd and weaker made 

through Time's continuance ; 
When drowsiness shall him oppress, 

and lay him fast asleep, 
Then sinful men may break their pen, 

and out of Prison creep. 

When those in Glory shall be right sorry 

they may not change their place, 
And wish to dwell with those in Hell, 

never to see Christ's face ; 
Then those in pain may freedom gain 

and be with Glory dight : 
Then Hellish fiends may be Christ's Friends, 

and Heirs of Heaven hight. 

Then, ah ! poor men ! What ! not till then ? 

No, not an hour before ; 
For God is just, and therefore must 

torment them evermore. 
Eternity ! Eternity ! 

thou mak'st hard hearts to bleed : 
The thoughts of thee in misery, 

do make men wail indeed. 



92 ETERNITY. 

When tliey remind what's still behind 

and ponder this word NEYEK, 
That they must there be made to bear 

God's Vengeance for EVER : 
The thought of this more bitter is 

than all they feel beside ; 
Yet what they feel, nor heart of steel, 

nor flesh of brass can bide. 

To lie in woe and undergo 

the direful pains of Hell, 
And know withal, that there they shall 

for aye and ever dwell ; 
And that they are from rest as far 

- when fifty thousand year, 
Twice told, are spent in punishment, 

as when they first came there j 

This, oh ! this makes Hell's fiery flakes 

much more intolerable ; 
This makes frail wights and damned sprites 

to bear their plagues unable. 
This makes men bite, for fell despite, 

their very tongues in twain ; 
This makes them roar for great horrcr, 

and trebleth all their pain. 



A POSTSCRIPT UNTO THE READER. 



^ ' ^ 



And now, good Reader, I return again 

To talk with tliee wlio hast been at the pain 

To read throughout and heed what went before ; 

And unto thee I'll speak a little more. 

Give ear I pray thee unto what I say, 

That God may hear thy voice another day. 

Thou hast a Soul, my Friend, and so have I, 

To save or lose ; a Soul that cannot die ; 

A Soul of greater price than Gold or Gems ; 

A Soul more worth than Crowns and Diadems ; 

A Soul at first created like its Maker, 

And of God's Image made to be partaker : 

Upon the wings of noblest Faculties, 

Taught for to soar above the Starry Skies, 

And not to rest, until it understood 

Itself possessed of the chiefest Good. 

And since the Fall thy Soul retaineth still 

Those faculties of Reason and of Will, 

But oh ! how much deprav'd and out of frame, 

As if they were some other's, not the same ! 

Thine Understanding dismally benighted, 

And Reason's eye in Spir'tual things dim-sighted, 

Or else stark blind ; thy Will inclin'd to evil. 

And nothing else ; a slave unto the Devil ; 

That loves to live, and liveth to transgress. 

But shuns the way of God and Holiness. 



94 POSTSCRIPT. 

All tliine Affections are disordered, 

And thus by headstrong Passions are misled. 

What need I tell thee of thy crooked war, 

And many wicked wand'rings every day ? 

Or that thine own transgressi-ons are more 

In number than the sands upon the Shore ? 

Thou art a lump of wickedness become, 

And may'st with horror think upon thy Doom, 

Until thy Soul be washed in the flood 

Of Christ's most dear, soul-cleansing, precious Blood. 

That, that alone can do away thy sin, 

"Which thou wert born and hast long lived in ; 

That, only that can pacify God's wrath, 

If apprehended by a lively Faith, 

Now whilst the day and means of Grace do last, 

Before the opportunity be past. 

But if, man, thou liv'st a Christless creature, 
And Death surprise thee in a state of nature, 
(As who can tell but that may be thy case ?) 
How wilt thou stand before the Judge's face, 
When he shall be reveal'd in flaming fire. 
And come to pay ungodly men their hire. 
To execute due vengeance upon those 
That knew him not, or that had been his foes ? 
What wilt thou answer unto his demands. 
When he requires a reason at thy hands. 
Of all the things that thou hast said or done. 
Or left undone, or set thine heart upon ? 
When he shall thus with thee expostulate : 
" What cause hadst thou thy Maker for to hate; 
To take up arms against thy Sovereign, 
And enmity against him to maintain ? 
What injury hath God Almighty done thee ? 



POSTSCRIPT. 95 

What good hath he withheld that might have won thee ? 

What evil, or injustice hast thou found 

In him that might unto thine hurt redound ? 

If neither felt nor feared injury 

Hath mov^d thee to such hostility, 

What made thee then the Fountain to forsake, 

And unto broken Pits thyself betake ? 

What reason hadst thou to dishonor God, 

Who thee with Mercies never ceas'd to load ? 

Because the Lord was good hast thou been evil, 

And taken part against him with the Devil ? 

For all his cost to pay him with despite. 

And all his love with hatred to requite ? 

Is this the fruit of God's great patience, 

To wax more bold in disobedience ? 

To kick against the bowels of his Love ? 

Is this aright his Bounty to improve ? 

Stand still, ye Heav'ns, and be astonished, 

That God by man should thus be injured ! 

Give ear, Earth, and tremble at the sin 

Of those that thine Inhabitants have been '/ 

But thou, vile wretch, hast added unto all 

Thine other faults and facts so criminal. 

The damning sin of willful unbelief; 

Of all Transgressors hast thou been the chief. 

Yet when time was thou might'st have been set free 

From Sin and Wrath and punishment by me ; 

But thou would'st not accept of Gospel Grace, 

Nor on my terms Eternal Life embrace. 

As if that all thy breaches of God's Law 

Were not enough upon thy head to draw 

Eternal Wrath, thou hast despis'd a Savior, 

Kejected me, and trampled oh my favor. 

How oft have I stood knocking at thy door, 



96 POSTSCRIPT. 

And been denied entrance evermore ? 
How often liatli my Spirit been withstood, 
When as I sent him to have done thee good ? 
Thou hast no need of any one to plead 
Thy cause or for thy Soul to intercede : 
Plead for thyself, if thou hast aught to say, 
And pay thy forfeiture without delay. 
Behold thou dost ten thousand Talents owe ; 
Pay thou the debt or else to Prison go." 

Think, think, man, when Christ shall thus unfold 

Thy secret guilt, and make thee to behold 

The ugly face of all thy sinful errors. 

And fill thy soul with his amazing terrors, 

And let thee see the flaming Pit of Hell, 

Where all that have no part in him shall dwell ; 

When he shall thus expostulate the case, 

How canst thou bear to look him in the face ? 

What wilt thou do without an Advocate, 

Or plead, when thus thy state is desperate ? 

Dost think to put him oif with fair pretenses ? 

Or wilt thou hide and cover thine offenses ? 

Can anything from him concealed be, 

Who doth the hidden things of darkness see ? 

Art thou of force his Power to withstand ? 

Canst thou by might escape out of his hand ? 

Dost thou intend to run out of his sight, 

And save thyself from punishment by flight ? 

Or wilt thou be eternally accurst, 

And 'bide his Vengeance, let him do his worst? 

Oh ! who can bear his indignation's heat ? 

Or 'bide the pains of Hell which are so great ? 

If, then, thou neither canst his Wrath endure. 
Nor any ransom after death procure 3 



POSTSCRIPT. 97 

Tf neither Cries nor Tears can move his heart 

To pardon thee or mitigate thy smart, 

But unto Hell thou must perforce be sent, 

With dismal horror and astonishment. 

Consider, my Friend, what cause thou hast, 

With fear and trembling (while as yet thou may'st), 

To lay to heart thy sin and misery, 

And to make out after the Remedy. 

Consider well the greatness of thy danger, 

O Child of wrath, and object of God's anger. 

Thou hangest over the Infernal Pit, 

By one small thread, and car'st not thou a whit ? 

There's but a step between thy Soul and Death j 

Nothing remains but stopping of thy breath, 

(Which may be done to-morrow, or before) 

And then thou art undone forevermore. 

Let this awaken thy security, 

And make thee look about thee speedily. 

How canst thou rest an hour or sleep a night, 

Or in thy creature-comforts take delight ? 

Or with vain Toys thyself forgetful make 

How near thou art unto the burning Lake ? 

How canst thou live without tormenting fears ? 

How canst thou hold from weeping floods of tears ? 

Yea, tears of blood, I might almost have said, 

If such-like tears could from thine eyes be shed. 

To gain the world what will it profit thee. 

And lose thy soul and self eternally? 

Eternity on one small point dependeth ; 

The man is lost that this short life misspendetli. 

For as the Tree doth fall, right so it lies, 

And man continues in what state he dies. 

Who happy die shall happy rise again j 



98 POSTSCRIPT. 

Who cursed die sliall cursed still remain. 
If under Sin and Wrath Death leaves thee bound, 
At Judgment under Wrath thou shalt be found j 
And then woe woe that ever thou wert born, 
O wretched man, of Heav'n and Earth forlorn ! 
Consider this, all ye that God forget, 
Who all his threatenings at naught do set. 
Lest into pieces he begin to tear 
Your souls, and there be no deliverer. 

you that now sing care and fear away, 

Think often of the formidable Day, 

Wherein the Heavens with a mighty noise. 

And with a hideous, heart-confounding voice 

Shall pass away, together being roll'd, 

As men are wont their garments up to fold ; 

When th' Elements with fervent heat shall melt, 

And living Creatures in the same shall swelt. 

And altogether in those liames expire, 

Which set the Earth's Foundati-ons on fire. 

Oh ! what amazements will your hearts be in, 

And how will you to curse yourselves begin. 

For all your damned sloth and negligence. 

And unbelief and gross Impenitence, 

When you shall hear that dreadful Sentence pass'd. 

That all the wicked into Hell be cast ! 

What horrors will your Consciences surprise. 

When you shall hear the fruitless, doleful cries 

Of such as are compelled to depart 

Unto the place of everlasting smart ! 

What ! when you see the sparks fly out of Hell, 

And view the Dungeon where you are to dwell. 

Wherein you must eternally remain 

In anguish and intolerable pain ! 

What ! when your hands and feet are bound together, 



POSTSCRIPT. 99 

And you are cast into tlie Lake forever ! 
Then shall you feel the truth of what you hear, 
That Hellish pains are more than you can bear, 
And that those Torments are an hundred fold 
More terrible than ever you were told. 

Nor speak I this, good Reader, to torment thee 

Before the time, but rather to prevent thee 

From running headlong to thine own decay, 

In such a perilous and deadly way. 

We who have known and felt Jehovah's terrors, 

Persuade men to repent them of their errors. 

And turn to God in time ere his Decree 

Bring forth, and then there be no Remedy. 

If in the night, when thou art fast asleep, 

Some friend of thine that better watch doth keep, 

Should see thy house all on a burning flame. 

And thee almost inclosed with the same : 

If such a friend should break thy door and wake thee, 

Or else by force out of the peril take thee, 

What ! wouldst thou take his kindness in ill part, 

Or frown upon him for his good desert ? 

Such, my friend, such is thy present state 
And danger, being unregenerate. 
Awake, awake, and then thou shalt perceive 
Thy peril greater than thou wilt believe. 
Lift up thine eyes, and see God's wrathful ire 
Preparing unextinguishable fire 
For all that live and die impenitent. 
Awake, awake, Sinner, and repent. 
And quarrel not because I thus alarm 
Thy Soul, to save it from eternal harm. 

Perhaps thou harborest such thoughts as these : 
" I hope I may enjoy my carnal ease 



100 POSTSCRIPT. 

A little longer, and myself refresh 

"With those delights that gratify the flesh, 

And yet repent before it be too late, 

And get into a comfortable state. 

I hope I have yet many years to spend, 

And time enough those matters to attend," 

Presumptuous heart ! Is God engag'd to give 

A longer time to such as love to live 

Like Rebels still, who think to strain his Glory 

By wickedness, and after to be sorry ? 

Unto thy lust shall he be made a drudge, 

Who thee and all ungodly men shall judge ? 

Canst thou account sin sweet, and yet confess 

That first or last it ends in bitterness ? 

Is sin a thing that must procure thee sorrow, 

And wouldst thou dally with't another morrow ? 

O foolish man who lovest to enjoy 

That which will thee distress, or else destroy ! 

What gained Samson by his Delilah ? 

What gained David by his Bathshebah ? 

The one became a slave, lost both his eyes, 

And made them sport that were his enemies j 

The other penneth, as a certain token 

Of God's displeasure, that his bones were broken, 

Besides the woes he after met withal. 

To chasten him for that his grievous Fall : 

His own Son Ammon, using crafty wiles, 

His Daughter Thamar wickedly defiles : 

His second Son, more beautiful than good. 

His hands embreweth in his Brother's blood : 

And by and by, aspiring to the Crown, 

He strives to pull his gentle Father down j 

With hellish rage, him fiercely persecuting, 

And brutishly his Concubines polluting. 



POSTSCRIPT. 101 

Head whoso list, and ponder what he reads, 
And he shall find smaU joy in evil deeds. 

Moreover this consider, that the longer 

Thou liv'st in sin, thy sins will grow the stronger j 

And then it will an harder matter prove 

To leave those wicked haunts that thou dost love. 

The Black'moor may as eas'ly change his skin. 

As old Transgressors leave their wonted sin. 

And who can tell what will become of thee, 

Or where thy Soul in one day's time may be 7 

We see that Death ne'er old nor young men spares, 

But one and other takes at unawares ; 

for in a moment, whilst men Peace do cry, 

Destruction seizeth on them suddenly. 

Thou who this morning art a lively wight, 

May'st be a corpse and damn6d Ghost ere night. 

Oh I dream not then that it will serve thy turn 

Upon thy Death-bed for thy sins to mourn ; 

But think how many have been snatch'd away, 

And had no time for mercy once to pray. 

It's just with God Repentance to deny 

To such as put it off until they die. 

And late Repentance seldom proveth true, 

Which, if it fail, thou know'st what must ensue ; 

For after this short life is at an end, 

What is amiss thou never canst amend. 

Believe, man, that to procrastinate. 

And put it off until it be too late, 
As 'tis thy sin, so it is Satan's wile, 
Whereby he doth great multitudes beguile. 
How many thousands hath this strong delusion 
Already brought to ruin and confusion, 
Whose souls are now reserv'd in iron chains. 



102 POSTSCRIPT. 

Under tliick darkness to Eternal Pains ! 
They thouglit of many years, as thou dost now, 
But were deceived quite, and so may'st thou. 

Oh ! then, my friend, waste not away thy time. 

Nor by rebellion aggravate thy crime. 

Oh ! put not off Repentance till to-morrow, 

Adventure not, without God's leave, to borrow 

Another day to spend upon thy lust, 

Lest God (that is most Holy, "Wise, and Just) 

Denounce in wrath, and to thy terror say, 

" This night shall Devils fetch thy Soul away.'' 

Now seek the face of God with all thy heart. 

Acknowledge unto him how vile thou art. 

Tell him thy Sins deserve eternal wrath, 

And that it is a wonder that he hath 

Permitted thee so long to draw thy breath. 

Who might have cut thee off by sudden death, 

And sent thy Soul into the lowest Pit, 

From whence no price should ever ransom it ; 

And that he may most justly do it still, 

(Because thou hast deserv'd it) if he will. 

Yet also tell him that, if he shall please, 

He can forgive thy sins and thee release. 

And that in Christ his Son he may be just 

And justify all those that on him trust ; 

That though thy sins are of a crimson dye. 

Yet Christ his Blood can cleanse thee thoroughly. 

Tell him that he may make his Glorious Name 

More wonderful by covering thy shame ; 

That Mercy may be greatly magnijfied. 

And justice also fully satisfied. 

If he shall please to own thee in his Son, 

"Who hath paid dear for Man's Redempti-on. 



POSTSCRIPT. 103 

Tell liim tliou liast an unbelieving heart. 

Which hind'reth thee from coming for a part 

In Christ ; and that although his terrors awe thee, 

Thou canst not come till he be pleas'd to draw thee. 

Tell him thou know'st thine heart to be so bad, 

And thy condition so exceeding sad, 

That though Salvation may be had for nauglit 

Thou canst not come and take it till thou'rt brought. 

Oh ! beg of him to bow thy stubborn will 

To come to Christ, that he thy lusts may kill. 

Look up to Christ for his attractive pow'r. 

Which he exerteth in a needful hour ; 

Who saith, " When as I lifted up shall be, 

Then will I draw all sorts of men to me." 

Oh ! wait upon him with true diligence 

And trembling fear in every Ordinance ; 

Unto his Call earnest attention give. 

Whose voice makes deaf men hear and dead men live. 

Thus weep and mourn, thus hearken, pray, and wait, 

Till he behold and pity thine estate, 

Who is more ready to bestow his Grace 

Than thou the same art willing to embrace j 

Yea, he hath Might enough to bring thee home, 

Though thou hast neither strength nor will to come. 

If he delay to answer thy request. 

Know that ofttimes he doth it for the best ; 

Not with intent to drive us from his door, 

But for to make us importune him more ; 

Or else to bring us daily to confess. 

And be convinc'd of our unworthiness. 

Oh ! be not weary, then, but persevere 

To beg his Grace till he thy suit shall hear ; 

And leave him not, nor from his footstool go. 

Till over thee Compassion's skirt he throw. 



104 POSTSCRIPT. 

Eternal Life shall recompense thy pains, 
If found at last, with everlasting gains. 
For if the Lord be pleas'd to hear thy cries, 
And to forgive thy great iniquities, 
Thou "wilt have cause forever to admire 
And laud his Grace, that granted thy desire. 
Then shalt thou find thy labor is not lost, 
But that the good obtain' d surmounts the cost. 
Nor shalt thou grieve for loss of sinful pleasures, 
Exchang'd for Heav'nly joys and lasting treasures. 
The yoke of Christ which once thou didst esteem 
A tedious yoke, shall then most easy seem. 
For why ? The love of Christ shall thee constrain 
To take delight in that which was thy pain. 
The ways of Wisdom shall be pleasant ways, 
And thou shalt choose therein to spend thy days. 

If once thy Soul be brought to such a pass, 
O bless the Lord and magnify his Grace. 
Thou that of late hadst reason to be sad, 
May'st now rejoice and be exceeding glad j 
For thy condition is as happy now 
As erst it was disconsolate and low. 
Thou art become as rich, as whilom poor ; 
As blessed now as cursed heretofore. 
For being cleansed with Christ's precious Blood, 
Thou hast an int'rest in the chiefest Good ; 
God's anger is towards thy Soul appeas'd. 
And in his Christ he is with thee well pleas'd. 
Yea, he doth look upon thee with a mild 
And gracious aspect, as upon his child. 
He is become thy Father and thy Friend, 
And will defend thee from the cursed Fiend. 
Thou need'st not fear the roaring Lion's rage, ' 
Since God Almighty doth himself engage 



POSTSCRIPT. 105 

To bear thy Soul in everlasting Arms, 
Above the reach of all destructive harms. 
Whatever here thy sufferings may be, 
Yet from them all the Lord shall rescue thee. 
He will preserve thee by his wond'rous Might 
Unto that rich Inheritance in Light. 

sing for joy, all ye Regenerate, 

Whom Christ hath brought unto this blessed state ! 

love the Lord all ye his saints, who hath 

Redeemed you from everlasting wrath ! 

Who hath by dying made your Souls to live. 

And what he dearly bought doth freely give. 

Give up yourselves to walk in all his ways, 

And study how to live unto his praise. 

The time is short you have to serve him here ; 

The day of your deliv'rance draweth near. 

Lift up your heads, ye upright ones in heart, 

Who in Christ's purchase have obtain'd a part. 

Behold he rides upon a shining cloud. 

With angel's voice and Trumpet sounding loud. 

He comes to save his folk from all their foes. 

And plague the men that Holiness oppose. 

So come, Lord Jesus, quickly come, we pray ; 

Yea, come and hasten our Redemption-day. 



VANITY OF VANITIES. 



A SONG OF EMPTINESS. 

Vain, frail, sliort-liv'd, and miserable Man, 
Learn what tliou art wlien thy estate is best ; 
A restless Wave o' th' troubled Oce-an, 
A Dream, a lifeless Picture finely drest. 

A Wind, a Flower, a Vapor, and a Bubble, . 
A Wheel that stands not still, a trembling Reed, 
A trolling Stone, dry Dust, light Chaff, and Stubble, 
A shadow of something but truly naught indeed. 

Learn what deceitful Toys and empty things 
This World and all its best Enjoyments be ; 
Out of the Earth no true Contentment springs, 
But all things here are vexing Vanity. 

For what is Beauty but a fading Flower 1 . 
Or what is Pleasure but the Devil's bait. 
Whereby he catcheth whom he would devour, 
And multitudes of Souls doth ruinate ? 

And what are Friends but mortal men as we. 
Whom Death from us may quickly separate ? 
Or else their hearts may quite estranged be, 
And all their love be turned into hate. 

And what are Riches to be doted on ? 

Uncertain, fickle, and ensnaring things ; 

They draw men's Souls into Perditi-on, 

And when most needed take them to their wings. 

(107) 



108 VANITY OF VANITIES. 

Ah ! foolish man ! that sets his heart upon 
Such empty shadows, such wild Fowl as these, 
That being gotten will be quickly gone, 
And whilst they stay increase but his disease. 

As in a Dropsy, drinking drought begets. 
The more he drinks the more he still requires, 
So on this "World whoso afifection sets, 
As Wealth's increase, increaseth his desires. 

happy M>n, whose portion is above. 
Where Floods, where Flames, where Foes cannot be- 
reave him ! 
Most wretched Man that fix6d hath his love 
Upon this World, that surely will deceive him ! 

For what is Honor ? what is Sovereignty, 
Whereto men's hearts so restlessly aspire ? 
Whom have they crowned with Felicity? 
When did they ever satisfy desire 1 

The Ear of Man with hearing is not fill'd ; 
To see new sights still coveteth the Eye ; 
The craving stomach, though it may be still'd. 
Yet craves again without a new supply. 

All Earthly things man's cravings answer not, 
Whose little heart would all the World contain, 
(If all the World should fall to one man's lot) 
And notwithstanding empty still remain. 

The Eastern Conqueror was said to weep 
When he the Indian Oce-an did view, 
To see his Conquest bounded by the Deep, 
And no more Worlds remaining to subdue. 



VANITY OF VANITIES. 109 

Who would that man in his Enjoyment bless, 
Or envy him, or covet his Estate, 
Whose gettings do augment his greediness. 
And make his wishes more intemperate ? 

Such is the wonted and the common guise 
Of those on Earth that bear the greatest sway ; 
If with a few the case be otherwise. 
They seek a Kingdom that abides for aye. 

Moreover they of all the Sons of Men 
That rule, and are in highest Places set, 
Are most inclin'd to scorn their Bretheren, 
And God himself (without great Grace) forget. 

For as the Sun doth blind the gazers' eyes, 
That for a time they naught discern aright, 
So Honor doth befool and blind the Wise, 
And their own lustre 'reaves them of their sight. 

Great are their Dangers, manifold their Cares, 
Through which, whilst others sleep, they scarcely Nap, 
And yet are oft surprised unawares. 
And fall unwilling into Envy's Trap. 

The mean Mechanic finds his kindly rest ; 
All void of fear sleepeth the Country Clown ; 
When greatest Princes often are distrest, 
And cannot sleep upon their Beds of Down. 

Could Strength or Valor men Immortalize, 
Could Wealth or Honor keep them from decay. 
There were some cause the same to Idolize, 
And give the lie to that which I do say. 



110 VANITY OF VANITIES. 

But neither can sucti things themselves end are, 
Without the hazard of a change, one hour. 
Nor such as trust in them can they secure 
From dismal days, or Death's prevailing pow'r. 

If Beauty could the Beautiful defend 
From Death's dominion, then fair Absalom 
Had not been brought to such a shameful end : 
But fair and foul unto the Grave must come. 

If "Wealth or Scepters could Immortal make, 
Then, vrealthy Croesus, wherefore art thou dead ? 
If Warlike force which makes the World to quake, 
Then why is Julius Caesar perished ? 

Where are the Scipio's Thunderbolts of War ? 
Kenowned Pompey, Caesar's Enemy ? 
Stout Hannibal, Rome's Terror known so far ? 
Great Alexander, what's become of thee 1 

If Gifts and Bribes Death's favor might but win, 
If Pow'r, if Force, or Threat'nings might it fray. 
All these, and more had still surviving been ; 
But all are gone, for Death will have no Nay. 

Such is this World, with all her Pomp and Glory ; 
Such are the men whom worldly eyes admire, 
Cut down by time, and now become a Story, 
That we might after better things aspire. 

Go boast thyself of what thy heart enjoys, 
Vain Man ! triumph in all thy worldly Bliss : 
Thy best Enjoyments are but Trash and Toys j 
Delight thyself in that which worthless is. 

Omnia prcetereunt prceter amare Deum. 



DEATH EXPECTED AM) WELCOMED. 



"Welcome sweet Rest, by me so long Desir'd, 
Who have with Sins and Griefs so long been tir'd ; 
And welcome Death, my Father's Messenger ; 
Of my Felicity the Hastener. 

Welcome good Angels, who, for me distrest, 
Are come to guard me to Eternal Rest. 
Welcome, Christ, who hast my Soul Redeem'd, 
Whose Favor I have more than Life esteem'd. 

Oh ! do not now my sinful soul forsake. 
But to thyself thy Servant gath'ring take. 
Into thy Hands I recommend my Spirit, 
Trusting through Thee Eternal Life t' inherit. 



(Ill) 



A FAREWELL TO THE WORLD. 



Now Farewell, World, in wliich is not my Treasure ; 
I have in thee enjoy'd but little Pleasure. 
And now I leave thee for a Better Place, 
Where lasting Pleasures are, before Christ's face. 

Farewell, ye Sons of Men, who do not savor 

The things of God ; who little prize his Favor. 

Farewell, I say, with your Fool's Paradise, 

Until the King of Terrors you surprise, 

And bring you trembling to Christ's Judgment Seat, 

To give Account of your Transgressions great. 

Farewell, New England, which hast long enjoy'd 
The Day of Grace, but hast most vainly toy'd 
And trifled with the Gospel's glorious Light ; 
Thou may'st expect a dark Egyptian Night. 

Farewell, young Brood and rising Generation, 
Wanton and proud, ripe for God's Indignation, 
Which neither you nor others can prevent, 
Except in Truth you speedily repent. 

Farewell, sweet Saints of God, Christ's little Number, 
Beware lest ye through sloth securely slumber ; 
Stand to your Spir'tual Arms and keep your Watch, 
Let not your Enemy you napping catch ; 
Take up your Cross, prepare for Tribulation, 
Through which doth lie the way unto salvation. 
(112) 



FAREWELL TO THE WORLD. 1X3 

Love Jesus Christ with all sincerity ; 
Eschew Will-worship and Idolatry. 
Farewell, again, until we all appear 
Before our Lord, a Well-done there to hear. 

Farewell, ye faithful Servants of the Lord, 

Painful dispensers of his Holy Word, 

From whose Communion and Society 

I once was kept through long infirmity. 

This of my Sorrows was an aggravation ; 

But Christ be thanked, through whose Mediation 

I have at length obtained Liberty 

To dwell with Soul-delighting Company, 

Wher« many of our Friends are gone before. 

And you shall follow with a many more. 

Meanwhile stand fast, the Truth of God maintain, 

Suffer for Christ, and great shall be your Gain. 

Farewell, my natural Friends and dear Relations, 

Who have my Trials seen and great Temptations ; 

You have no cause to make for me great Moan ; 

My Death to you is little Loss or none. 

But unto me it is no little Gain, 

For Death at once frees me from all my Pain. 

Make Christ your greatest Friend, who never dies ; 

All other Friends are fading Vanities. 

Make him your Light, your Life, your End, your All ; 

Prepare for Death, be ready for his Call. 

Farewell, vile Body, subject to decay. 

Which art with lingering sickness worn away ; 

I have by thee much Pain and Smart endur'd ; 

Great Grief of Mind hast thou to me procur'd ; 

Great Grief of Mind by being Impotent, 

And to Christ's Work an awkward Instrument. 



114 FAREWELL TO THE WORLD. 

Thou shalt not hencefortli be a clog to me. 
Nor shall my Soul a Burthen be to thee. 

Rest in thy Grave until the Resurrection, 

Then shalt thou be revived in Perfection, 

Endow'd with wonderful Agility, 

Clothed with Strength and Immortality ; 

With shining Brightness gloriously array'd. 

Like to Christ's glorious Body, glorious made. 

Thus Christ shall thee again to me restore, 

Ever to live with him and part no more. 

Meanwhile my Soul shall enter into Peace, 

Where Fears and Tears^ where Sin and Smart shall cease. 



A 

O H A 11 A C T E R 

OF THK REVEREND AUTHOR, 



Mr. MICHAEL ¥IGGLES¥ORTH, 

IN A FUNERAL SERMON PREACHED AT 

MALDEN, JUNE 24, 1705. 



BY THE REVEREND DR. COTTON MATHER. 



He was Descended of Eminently Religious Parents, 
who were Sufferers for that which was then TJie Cause of 
God and of Neio-England. While he was yet a youth, he 
was marvellously concerned that he might have an Heart 
filled with the Spirit of God. This Concernment upon 
his mind appeared especially in his watchful Endeavors 
to have Spiritual Sins chased out of his cleansed Heart. 
Pride, the Sin of Young Men, yea, of all Men ; Pride, 
the Sin which few IMen try or trouble themselves about ; 
this Devout Youth was full of Holy and Watchful Trou- 
ble about it : And he then wrote a very Savoury Dis- 
course, Entituled, Considerations against Pride, and 
another, Entituled, Considerations against Delighting 
more in the Creature than in God, This was to Mortify in 
himself the Sins rarely minded by the most of men. 

Having had a Pious and a Learned Education, the first 
Publick Station wherein I find him, was that of a Felloio 
and a Tutor in Harvard Colledge. With a rare Faithful- 

115) 



216 FUNERAL SERMON. 

ness did he adorn that Station ! He used all means 
imaginable to make his Pupils not only good Scholars, 
but also good Christians^ and instil into them those 
things which might render them rich Blessings unto the 
Churches of God. Unto his Watchful and Painful Essays 
to keep them close under their Academical Exercises^ he 
added Serious Admonitions unto them about their Inte- 
rior State ; and he Employed his Prayers and Tears to 
God for them, and had such a flaming zeal to make 
them worthy Men, that upon Reflection he was afraid 
Lest Ms cares for their Good, and his affection to them^ should 
so dri/nk up his very Spirit, as to steal away his Heart from 
God. 

From Cambridge he made his remove to Maiden, and 
was their Faithful Pastor for about a Jubilee of years 
together. 

It was not long after his coming to Maiden that a sickly 
Constitution so prevailed upon him, as to confine him 
from his Publick Work for some whole seven of Years. 
His Faithfulness continued when his Ministry was thus 
interrupted. The Kindness of his Tender Flock unto 
him was answered in his Kind Concern to have them 
served by other Hands. He took a short voyage unto 
another Country for the Recovery of his Health ; which, 
though he recovered not, yet at his Return I find him 
comforting himself with inserting of this Passage in his 
Reserved Papers : 

Peradventure the Lord Removed me for a season that he might 
set a better Watchman over his Flock, and a more painful La- 
borer in his Vineyard. This was one thing that I aimed at in 
Removing (to help the People's Modesty in the case), and I believe 
the Lord aimed at it, in Removing me for a season. 

His Faithfulness now appeared in his Edifying Dis- 
courses to those that came near him j much bewailing 



FUNERAL SERMON HJ 

the want of a Profitable and Religious conversation in so 
many that profess Religion. And that yet he might 
more Faithfully set himself to do Good, when he could 
not Preach he Wrote several Composures, wherein he 
proposed the edification of such Readers as are for plain 
Truths, dressed up in a Plain Meeter. These Compo- 
sures have had their Acceptance and Advantage among 
that sort of Readers ; and one of them, the Day of Doom^ 
which has been often Reprinted in both Englands, may 
find our Children till the Day itself arrive. 

It pleased God, when the distress of the Church in 
Maiden did extremely call for it, wondrously to restore 
his Faithful Servant. He that had been for near Twenty 
Years almost Buried Alive, comes abroad again, and for 
as many years more, must, in Puhlick Usefulness, receive 
the Answer and Harvest of the Thousands of Supplica- 
tions with which the God of his Health had favoured him. 

How Faithfully did he now Deliver the Whole Counsel 
of God ! 

How Faithfully did he Rebuke Sin, both in his Min- 
istry and Discipline ! 

How Faithful was he to the Work of God in the 
Churches of Neio-England, and grieved at every thing 
that he thought had any Tendency to incommode that 
Glorious Work ! But how Patient, how Loving, how 
Charitable to such as in lesser Matters differed from him ! 

How Faithful was he in the Education of his Family ! 
A very Abraham for his Commands unto them, to Keep 
the Way of the Lord ! A very David for his charge unto 
them to Knoio the God of their Father and Serve Him I 

His long Weakness and Illness made him an able Phy- 
sician for the Body as well the Soul. 

As he was Faithful to the Death, so he was Lively to the 
Death. 

It was a surprise to us to see a little, feeble Shadow 



118 FUNERAL SERMON. 

of a Man, beyond Seventy, Preaching usually twice or 
tlirice in a week, Visiting, Comforting the Afflicted, En- 
couraging the Private Meetings, Catechising the Chil- 
dren of the Flock, and managing the Government of the 
Church, and attending the Sick, not only as a Pastor, but 
as a Physician too ; and this not only in his own Town, 
but also in all those of the Vicinity. Thus he did imto 
the Last ; and he was but one Lord) s-Day taken off be- 
fore his Last. But in the Last Week of his Life, how 
full of Resignation ! How full of Satisfaction I 

From his Exemplary Life I will single out one thing, 
his EARLY RELIGION. Our Wigglesioorth was a 
Godly child, and he held on living to God and Christ 
until the Seventy-Fourth Year of his Age. 

When he lay a Dying, some one spoke to him about 
his having secured his Interest in the Favor of Heaven, 
and his Assurance of that Interest. He Replyed, [Me- 
t hough ts like my Poly carp,] 

I bless God I began that "Work betimes, and ere I was Twenty 
Years Old I had made thorow work of it. Ever since then I 
have been pressing after the Power of Godliness, the Power of 
Godliness ! For more than Fifty Years together I have been La- 
boring to uphold a Life of Communion with God ; and I thank 
the Lord I now find the Comfort of it ! 

Words that contain in them A History of a Life more 
Valuable than I have seen a Volume in Folio. 



EPITAPH. 



(BEUEVED TO HAVE BEEN WRITTEN BT RBV. COTTON MATHER.) 



THE EXCELLENT 

WIGGLESWORTII; 

REMEMBERED BY SOME GOOD TOKENS. 



His Pen did once Meat from the Eater fetch ; 
And now he's gone beyond the Eater'' s reach. 
His Body once so Thin^ was next to None ; 
From hence he's to Unbodied Spirits flown. 
Once his rare skill did all Diseases heal ; 
And he does nothing now uneasy feel. 
He to his Paradise is joyful come, 
And waits with joy to see his Day of Doom. 

(119) 



CONTENTS. 



• «-*~«^ 

PAGS 

Memoir of the Author 3 

Autobiography 10 

To the Christian Reader 13 

On the following Work 18 

Prayer unto Christ 20 

The Day of Doom 21 

Security of the World before Christ's coining 21 

Suddenness and Terror of his appearing 22 

Resurrection — All brought to judgment 26 

The Sheep separated from the goats 27 

The several sorts of reprobates described 28 

The Saints justified — Election — Atonement 32 

They are placed on thrones 34 

The wicked brought to the Bar 35 

Secret sins brought to light 38 

Hypocrites plead for themselves ... 40 

Another sort of hypocrites 44 

Civil honest men's pleas 47 

Pretended want of opportunity to repent 51 

Plea of examples of betters 53 

Godly men's examples misleading 54 

Scripture, darkness, and difference of interpretation 65 

Fear of persecution 56 

Plea of God's mercy and justice 58 

Vessels of mercy 59 

Mercy abused — Day of grace past 60 

Shutting out by God's decree 62 

The Heathen's plea 66 

Reprobate infants' plea 68 

The wicked all convinced and silenced 72 

Hopeless and helpless estate of the ungodly 73 

Sentence of condemnation 78 

Sentence executed — The wicked cast into Hell 80 

Their unsufferable torments 81 

The saints rejoice thereat 83 

They ascend in triumph to Heaven 84 

A Short discourse on Eternity 87 

A Postscript unto the Reader 93 

Vanity of Vanities 107 

Death expected Ill 

A Farewell to the World > 112 

Funeral Sermon 115 

Epitaph 119 

C 32 89 <ll 



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